Despite his debut album Painting Pictures sitting in the top 10 of the Billboard 200, Kodak Black has been in jail since February unable to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He is accused of allegedly violating the conditions of his house arrest. The Pompano Beach native went to court Wednesday to plead his case.
"At 19, I don't think he has a mentality yet to be able to handle everything being thrown at him at once," Sandra Friedman, the Florida Department of Corrections officer handling his case said. "I think he needs some people who are looking out for his interests. He needs to deal with his problems and he definitely needs anger management."
The rapper's family, friends and three Atlantic Records executives sat in the courtroom. The Sun Sentinel reports Friedman was the first witness called to the stand at his hearing. She testified that Kodak -- whose real name is Dieuson Octave -- broke the rules of his probation and failed to complete his court-mandated anger management program.
"I think he needs to go into counseling immediately," Friedman said. "I think he's aware of what's going to happen if he doesn't." If the judge determines he's guilty, the rapper will be forced to remain in jail for a longer period of time.
Jennifer Cunningham, a bartender at a Miami strip club, also testified saying the rapper abused her physically on February 2. No formal charges were filed but the allegations were used in the violation hearing nonetheless.
Kodak's lawyers dispute the allegations their client violated the conditions of his house arrest claiming that they were job-related outings. The "Tunnel Vision" artist traveled to Ohio to promote Adrien Broner's boxing match and had a gig at a Miami strip club. As the hearing resumes Friday, the judge will decide the promising emcee's fate.
