Raja Jackson pleads not guilty after assault at wrestling event
Raja Jackson, son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from an assault that occurred at a professional wrestling event in August in Los Angeles.
Jackson, 25, appeared in court on Thursday for the arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and one count of misdemeanor assault. The sentence for aggravated assault could carry up to four years in state prison, but the Los Angeles district attorney’s office is seeking a sentence enhancement that could extend it to seven years.
Your next court appearance is scheduled for November 24.
The aggression took place during a KnokX event in Los Angeles. Jackson, who was scheduled to participate in a staged fight, slammed the wrestler Stuart Smith (also known as Syko Stu) against the ground and continued to hit him repeatedly, even after it became clear that he was unconscious. Jackson did not stop until he was physically restrained by other wrestlers.
In a live broadcast before entering the ring, Jackson said he intended to get revenge on Smith for a brief altercation between the two that occurred that same day. Smith had hit Jackson with a can of beer in an apparent altercation to promote the event.
According to Smith, he suffered multiple jaw injuries during the attack, as well as a serious head injury, a lip laceration, and tooth loss.
Jackson was arrested in September and released on a $50,000 bail. His father, who competed in the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships, has condemned his son’s actions in multiple interviews and on social media.
