US rapper Snoop Dogg poses no
threat to Australia, his Los Angeles criminal defence lawyer said
today.
Federal Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews announced yesterday he
had barred Snoop Dogg, who has a criminal record, from entering
Australia for Sunday's MTV Australia Video Music Awards.
"It's really too bad," Donald Etra, who represented Snoop Dogg in a
gun and drugs case in a Los Angeles court earlier this month,
said.
"Snoop loves Australia and Australia loves Snoop."
Etra said Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus
Jr, would be well-behaved if allowed to enter Australia.
Asked if there was any danger of Snoop Dogg committing any crimes
while in Australia, Etra responded: "Absolutely not".
On April 11 the 35-year-old rapper pleaded no contest to charges of
gun possession by a felon and sale or transportation of
marijuana.
The charges came after he was arrested at Los Angeles' Bob Hope
Airport last October on suspicion of transporting marijuana. Police
later found a gun at his home.
Etra said the sentence handed down to his client demonstrated the
lightweight nature of the case.
Snoop Dogg was sentenced to five years' probation and 800 hours of
community service.
"The judge gave him probation which truly says a lot about the
severity of that case," Etra said.
Etra also rejected allegations Snoop Dogg is affiliated with
notorious LA gang, the Crips.
"The reality is Snoop has no gang affiliation," the lawyer
said.
Andrews referred to the alleged gang affiliation yesterday while
explaining the decision to reject Snoop Dogg's application to enter
Australia.
"This man has been a member of a Los Angeles gang and is still
associated with it, apparently that's been involved in murder,
robberies and drug dealing in the LA area," Andrews said.
Snoop Dogg can appeal the Australian government decision, but Etra
said he was unsure if his client would do that.
"I do not know what his plans are going to be," Etra
said.
Zhun bo? 