Judge: Gun stays as evidence in Ja Rule's NYC case

Judge: Gun stays as evidence in Ja Rule's NYC case

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rapper Ja Rule has lost a bid to keep a loaded gun found in his luxury car from being used against him in a New York weapons-possession case. A judge said "no" Wednesday to the argument by the platinum-selling artist's that the gun was found during an unjustified police stop of his Maybach sports car after a July 2007 concert. Prosecutors say the stop was warranted because the car had no insurance and a suspended registration. The judge did throw out another piece of evidence: the rapper's statement to police that he had a bit of marijuana in his pocket. He isn't charged with drug possession. Ja Rule, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, has pleaded not guilty. The 33-year-old faces up to four years in prison if convicted.