Eminem Still Free on Bond

Oct. 11 -- Rapper Eminem remains free on bondafter a hearing in Macomb County over charges stemming from afracas between the musician, his wife and another man.

Circuit Judge Antonio Viviano set a pretrial hearing for Dec. 8on charges of assault and carrying a concealed weapon, and extendedthe musician’s $100,000 bond on Tuesday. The charges carrypunishment of up to five years in prison.

A crush of fans followed the rapper into the courtroom, theDetroit Free Press and The Detroit News said today. A judge letEminem enter and leave the courtroom through a private door.

Eminem Denies Attacking Man

The Grammy award-winning artist’s troubles began with a Juneincident outside a Warren nightclub. Police said he assaulted JohnGuerra with an unloaded gun after the man kissed Eminem’s wife, KimMathers.

“He absolutely, categorically denies attacking him. He did notstrike him, point the gun at him or use the gun in any assaultiveway,” defense lawyer Brian Legghio told The Macomb Daily of MountClemens.

Guerra has filed a civil lawsuit against the rapper, whose realname is Marshall Mathers III. The suit seeks damages of $25,000 ormore. Eminem, also known as Slim Shady, and his estranged wife havefiled for divorce.

Eminem also faces weapons charges in Oakland County. Royal Oakpolice said he displayed a gun during an argument with an associateof the rival metro Detroit rap duo Insane Clown Posse. His nextappearance in Oakland County Circuit Court is Dec. 18.

Eminem, 27, could get up to five years in prison if convicted.

Eminem’s latest release, The Marshall Mathers LP, is the fastest-selling rap album in history, with more than 1.7 million purchased in its first week, despite complaints that his lyrics are violent and hateful, even by hip-hop standards. It has has gonemulti-platinum with more than 6 million copies sold worldwide.

The album been at the top of the charts since May, and in February Eminem won Grammy awards for best rap album and best solo performance.