Rapper The Game pleads not guilty in punching, threatening of off duty Los Angeles officer

LOS ANGELES _ Rapper The Game has pleaded not guilty to charges filed after he was accused of punching and threatening an off-duty police officer during a basketball game.

The rapper, whose real name is Jayceon Taylor, entered the plea Monday in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Taylor was charged in June with one felony count of making criminal threats and a misdemeanour assault and battery charge over the altercation that occurred in March.

Los Angeles police officer Onyebuchi Awaji testified at a hearing earlier this month that Taylor threatened to kill him after punching him during the game after an intentional foul.

A judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Taylor to stand trial on the charges. No trial date has been set and the 36-year-old is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 11.

The Associated Press