Kodak Black testifies in probation violation hearing

Pompano Beach rapper's future is in hands of Broward Circuit Judge

FORT LAUDERDALE – It was a busy day in court on Friday, as Dieuson Octave, better known as rapper Kodak Black, took the stand in his own defense at his probation violation hearing.

Octave, 19, was accused of attacking a bartender at a Miami strip club, attending a boxing match and disrupting an anger management class. Broward Circuit Judge Michael Lynch listened to his testimony for the second day. 

While on the stand, the rapper plead the Fifth Amendment when prosecutor Meredith Hough asked him if he was at the strip club without his probation officer's permission. But when the judge pushed for an answer, Octave admitted to being there. 

Ramona Sanchez, the rapper's anger management counselor, testified that after burping during group sessions she asked him to leave, but he refused. When she said she was going to call 911, she said he grabbed her wrist and phone.

He was kicked him out of the court-mandated class and Sanchez recommended individual therapy.

Octave's attorneys, Gary Kollin and Allan S. Zamren, claim he was working when he was at the boxing match and at the strip club. They also said the burping during anger management class was beyond his control.  

The big bombshell was when the defense brought in another bartender from the strip club. His testimony conflicted with Jennifer Cunningham's claims when he said she was the one who "got up in his face."

Octave was born in Pompano Beach to Haitian parents. He was raised in Pompano's Golden Acres public housing project and attended Blanche Ely High School.

His career skyrocketed in 2015 about the same time he was charged with robbery, battery, false imprisonment of a child and marijuana possession. Drake and French Montana helped to put him on the map. He was signed to Atlantic Records in 2015. 

About a year later, he was arrested for two incidents. In one, he faced charges for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, marijuana possession and fleeing from from police officers. Later he was charged with armed robbery and false imprisonment.

In Florence, South Carolina, he was accused of raping a student and in St. Lucie County he faced two marijuana possession charges. Under a plea agreement, he was on house arrest for one year. He was to perform community service and attend anger management classes. 

Octave could face up to eight years in prison for the probation violation. Since a probation violation does not require a jury to determine guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Lynch will have to make the determination. 


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.