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 Los Angeles last August.
Jackson, 25, appeared before his arraignment audience on Thursday and 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 incident took place during a KnokX event in Los Angeles. Jackson, who was scheduled to participate in a staged match, threw the wrestler Stuart Smith (also known as Syko Stu) to the ground and continued to hit him repeatedly, even after it became clear that he was unconscious. Jackson did not stop until other wrestlers physically restrained him.
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 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.
