Two More Women Say They Were Assaulted by Singer

Two more women have come forward to accuse singer Rick James of assault, with one providing a videotape showing the Grammy-award winner beating her with a belt and bragging about the attack, prosecutors said Friday.

The new allegations surfaced after James was convicted of assaulting a woman under similar circumstances.

The videotape is 3 years old, putting the alleged crimes seen in it beyond the statute of limitations, prosecutors said. But Deputy Dist. Atty. Andrew Flier said a more recent case is under review for possible prosecution.

“Maybe I should hire myself out as a professional woman-beater,” the videotape captured James saying, according to a court document that prosecutors prepared for the singer’s sentencing.

Sentencing had been scheduled Friday for James, who faces a maximum of eight years and eight months in prison for the assault conviction, but was delayed until Nov. 5. His fiancee, Tanya Anne Hijazi, pleaded guilty to related charges and has been sentenced to four years in prison under a plea agreement.

The onetime “king of funk,” known for his best-selling rhythm and blues singles and albums, had hoped to marry Hijazi in court Friday, but bailiffs refused to allow the ceremony.

Prosecutors were ready to present the videotape to illustrate what they claim is James’ “propensity for violence and sadomasochism,” according to the court document.

“The people are prepared to present to the court a videotape depicting the defendant engaging in group sex with a young woman and a lot of narcotics being consumed,” according to the memo. “Although the sexual conduct appears consensual, the defendant is shown striking the female repeatedly and graphically with a belt. Blood is observable.”

Although James’ attorney dismissed the new allegations as “garbage and ancient history,” Flier confirmed that his office may file additional charges against the singer based on claims by a former girlfriend. Details were not released on that incident, except that it also allegedly happened during a sex-and-drugs session.

James was convicted last month of assaulting and imprisoning a woman at a ritzy West Hollywood hotel and of furnishing cocaine to a woman who says she was tortured for hours with a hot cocaine pipe.

The jury, which found him guilty on three counts, deadlocked 11 to 1 on eight other charges, including two counts of torture. Flier vowed to prosecute the unresolved charges.

By prior arrangement with San Fernando Superior Court Judge Michael Hoff, Hijazi was in court for what the couple hoped would be their marriage ceremony. They had a marriage license, a minister, formal clothing and two rings. But officials said prisoners in the County Jail, where the pair are being held, are not allowed to marry.

Hijazi pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon for helping James abuse a woman at the St. James Hotel.