A judge has allowed rapper Lil Nas X to enter a mental health diversion programme that could lead to the dismissal of charges for allegedly attacking Los Angeles police officers. Judge Alan Schneider ruled on Monday that if the 26-year-old completes his treatment and obeys all laws for two years, four felony counts will be dropped.
The court determined the incident stemmed from his recently diagnosed bipolar disorder and was an aberration from his usual behaviour. The programme, formally known as postponement of prosecution probation, also requires him to refrain from possessing guns or making threats of violence.
Authorities allege Lil Nas X was walking naked down a street in LA’s San Fernando Valley in August and charged at officers responding to calls. A criminal complaint states three officers were injured. Photos and video before the confrontation showed him in only white briefs and white boots. He had pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of battery with injury on a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer.
In a video posted to Instagram days after his arrest, he described the preceding days as “terrifying” but reassured fans he would be fine. Outside court on Monday, he told Rolling Stone he was “thankful – just very thankful” and that it “could have been much worse”. The district attorney’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Lil Nas X, best known for his record-breaking hit Old Town Road, has won two Grammys. His debut studio album Montero reached No 2 on the Billboard chart and was nominated for album of the year.
