LL Cool J Trespassing Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

Homeless man charged with burglary for entering the rapper's home before being taken down by the "Mama Said Knock You Out" MC himself

By Alexis L. Loinaz Aug 28, 2012 6:33 PMTags
LL Cool J©Jason Merritt/Getty Images

LL Cool J might have administered his own hands-on approach to justice to a homeless intruder, but now that man is getting his day in court.

Jonathan A. Kirby, 56, pleaded not guilty today in a Van Nuys, Calif., court, E! News has confirmed.

Kirby has been charged with first degree felony burglary with a person present; because of his alleged prior convictions he could face up to 38 years in prison for violating California's three strikes law.

That rap sheet is considerable, according to L.A. County records obtained by E! News, and includes arrests for petty theft and taking a vehicle without an owner's permission, among others.

In 1988, he was also reportedly convicted of manslaughter in Dallas and sentenced to six years in prison, but was paroled the following year.

Kirby is accused of breaking into LL Cool J's Van Nuys home on Aug. 22 where he was reportedly tackled by the 44-year-old, who allegedly broke Kirby's nose, jaw and ribs while restraining him until police arrived. Kirby's injuries could not be seen in court today because he was confined behind a locked metal door.

The rapper has skirted any charges stemming from the beatdown, and spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office told E! News that the MC is "the victim, not the perpetrator."

—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum