Rapper Must Stand Trial in Assault Case

VAN NUYS —  A judge ordered Grammy-winning recording artist Stanley Howse to stand trial on assault charges after a former Chatsworth neighbor testified the rap star beat him senseless when he complained about loud noise.

Howse, 24, a founding member of the multi-platinum rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, will be tried on five felony charges, including possession of explosives and firing a shotgun, San Fernando Municipal Judge Ruth Essegian ruled Thursday.

Howse’s brother-in-law Jamar Tarik Cole, 19, was ordered to stand trial on three charges: possession of explosives, reckless discharge of a firearm and assault with a deadly weapon.

In emotional testimony, 64-year-old Stephen J. Gambino told of several run-ins with the rapper and his entourage, including the alleged beating incident on July 4, and a separate incident in which the rapper allegedly threatened Gambino and his wife.

Gambino, who was wearing a gray suit and a tie, acknowledged he had been warned to stay off Howse’s Lassen Street property but said he was “just trying to be a good neighbor” by asking Howse to turn down loud music that rattled the windows.

But Encino defense lawyer Alan Baum disputed that contention.

“He went over to my client’s property after having been told on at least two previous occasions that if he had problems or complaints to take it up with his management or call police. Once he went there, he was told to leave. He didn’t.”

Baum said he understood how upsetting the loud music was to Gambino and how things “escalated beyond what anybody intended.”

“I think Mr. Gambino exercised poor judgment in trying to handle the situation himself,” Baum said. “My client also exercised poor judgment.”

Howse, known as Flesh-N-Bone, also will be tried on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of an assault weapon while on probation for spousal abuse.

The charges also involve an incident on June 25 in which authorities allege the rapper, his brother-in-law Cole and another man kicked, threw rocks and spat on Gambino.

In his testimony, Gambino admitted he “probably” directed racial epithets at Howse and his family. He said he also left an angry message with other remarks on the telephone answering machine of Howse’s manager, Gary Ballen.

Howse, who appeared in court wearing a gold crucifix and a white shirt with the initials F&B; on the back, moved into the $600,000 rented home last April with his wife and children.

Tension began to build, however, almost immediately. Neighbors complained of loud noise coming from the home. After the rapper’s arrest July 4, they expressed concerns over the alleged use of firearms.

Police were called after receiving reports of gunshots around 1 a.m. July 4. They reported the defendants turned over several explosives, including what one Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad officer testified Tuesday was a device 270 times more powerful than a firecracker.

During the police search, authorities said they also found an assault rifle, handguns and several shotguns, and four spent shotgun shells.

Also recovered was one weapon police allege was reported stolen during the 1994 Los Angeles riots.

Soon after the arrests, defense lawyers contended their clients were celebrating the Fourth of July “a little early.”

But San Fernando Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert B. Foltz said there were no signs of firecrackers, just the shotgun shells.

Trial was scheduled for Nov. 20 for Cole and Howse, who was free on $500,000 bond.