Joe Budden has been exonerated from charges of lewdness and stalking stemming from a December altercation with his neighbor in New Jersey.
In the most recent episode of his self-titled podcast, Budden discussed the lengthy trial that commenced at the start of the year – beginning with a neighbor accusing him of the acts and “immediately” shedding “white woman tears” upon taking the witness stand.
Budden has mentioned on his podcast that his sleepwalking problems were the root of the incident (where he walked naked to a neighbor’s door and attempted to enter his own code before leaving), but he stated he preferred not to involve his doctor in the trial as it would prolong the process with the prosecution, which would likely introduce their own expert.
Rather, he opted to summon his girlfriend to the stand – who could attest that he was not fully erect in the Ring camera footage from his neighbor and thus clearly not engaging in masturbation as she claimed.
Following several days of evidence, the judge spent the weekend deliberating her verdict and ultimately found Budden not guilty of any misconduct.
“Mr. Budden was not standing upright.” He stated that the judge informed the court he was not engaging in masturbation. “The only occasion he touched his penis, he seemed to be attempting to conceal himself.” Mr. Budden was not attempting to break in.
Budden stated: “She was just, sensible, listened to all the evidence, was focused, [and] didn’t engage in any nonsense.”
On New Year’s Eve (December 31), the Edgewater Police Department in New Jersey announced in a press release that Joe Budden had been charged earlier in December regarding the alleged incident.
According to police, he faced accusations of being outside his neighbor’s apartment door “totally nude” during the early morning of December 4 and “trying to input a code into the door keypad multiple times before going back into his own apartment across the hallway.”
In response to the press release, Budden posted on X: “Yall are so dramatic lol.”
He also lightened the mood of the situation with a meme on his Instagram Story, depicting a man laughing while showing something on his phone to another person.
Budden’s attorney Nima Ameri informed TMZ then that his client feels let down by the charges being disclosed and that he is taking his own legal steps against the neighbor.
“Mr. Budden feels disappointed by the press release from Police Chief Martin.” Mr. Budden has been waiting for weeks for his cross complaints to be processed, which involve significantly more serious allegations, including potential felony charges against those who have made these accusations against him,” Ameri stated.
“In our view, the Chief has neglected those matters and instead focused on securing free publicity for himself.” Chief Martin ought to gain attention by engaging in commendable policing rather than provoking claims of disorderly conduct.
The lawyer additionally claimed that Edgewater Police Chief Donald A. Martin exhibited racism: “The charges against Mr. Budden are trivial, not even leading to an arrest.” A charge that Mr. Budden is eager to defeat in court based on substance, not in the media. The Chief’s remarks are irresponsible and, in our view, motivated by race.
“Our investigation has not found any press release regarding a disorderly conduct charge on the police website this year.” In our view, his decision to target Mr. Budden is driven by personal motives rooted in Mr. Budden’s race and fame.
