Troy Ave Indicted As He Waives Court Appearance

The word "sorry" is etched into a bench in a courtroom at 100 Centre Street, where rapper Troy Ave – born Roland Collins, age 30 – waived his right to appear in court today (June 9). Nonetheless, prosecutors indicted him, stating a grand jury had voted on the matter.

"At this time I am filing a certificate of affirmative grand jury action with the court," said Assistant District Attorney Christine Keenan.

Troy's charges are still sealed, so his lawyers say it's unclear what exactly he's been indicted for. The district attorney also requested a DNA swab from Troy, but they haven't said for what yet.

Troy was formally charged with attempted murder and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, but many reports say his charges could be updated to murder following ballistics results that show the bullets that killed Banga match a gun found in Troy Ave's van.

Talking to the press, Troy's lawyer Scott Leemon reiterated the Brooklyn rapper's innocence in the Irving Plaza shooting that took his bodyguard Ronald "Banga" McPhatter's life. "He didn't shoot himself and he didn't shoot his bodyguard," he said. "They are victims and they should be treated that way."

Leemon's co-counsel John Stella also revealed that Troy would be setting up an athletic scholarship at New Utrecht High School, where both Troy and McPhatter attended high school together. The scholarship will provide $2,000 a year to an exceptional individual for five years.

Incidentally, Leemon is headed to Toulouse, France tonight to meet with Gary, Ind. rapper Freddie Gibbs concerning a rape charge from over a year ago in Austria.

Troy Ave's next court hearing is set for June 22. Keep it locked right here with XXL to get all the updates on the case as they happen.

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