*Kevin Gates was found guilty of battery in Polk County, Florida, on Wednesday (Oct. 26) after he was seen kicking a woman during his concert in Lakeland last year.
The rapper was sentenced to 180 days in Polk County jail, with credit for any time served, plus fines and court costs, according to WFLA. He was convicted by a jury of six women after one day of testimony.
Miranda Dixon, 18, admitted to having tugged on Gates’ pants during the concert at Rumors Niteclub on Aug. 28, 2015. “I was trying to get his attention for my friend,” she said during the trial.
Dixon’s friend Teremal Redding testified as well, saying she had asked Dixon to grab Gates to get his attention “because he is a famous rapper.” She said that everyone in the front row was grabbing at Gates, and that the first time Dixon grabbed him, he kept performing, but the second time he kicked her with force.
During cross examination about her injuries, Gates’ defense attorney Jose Baez pointed out that Redding had stayed for the rest of the show after her friend left following the incident.
In a previous hearing, Gates admitted to kicking a fan during the show and used the Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law in attempt to have the charges dropped.
“I kicked them, I wanted them off me,” he said during the previous hearing.
Rumors Niteclub’s head of security Joe Hailey also testified, saying Gates’ reps had not requested any additional security or any barricade between the stage and the crowd for the concert. He said there were about 20 security guards working that night and that there was room for Gates to back up on stage if he did not want to be touched.
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