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 at a professional wrestling event in Los Angeles in August.
Jackson, 25, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Thursday. He faces one count of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and one count of misdemeanor assault. The sentence for aggravated assault could result in up to four years in a 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 assault took place during a KnokX event in Los Angeles. Jackson, who was scheduled to appear in a staged fight, threw the wrestler Stuart Smith (also known as Syko Stu) to the ground and continued to hit him several times, even after it was clear that he was unconscious. Jackson did not stop until he was physically restrained by several 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 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 the loss of teeth.
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.
