Nationwide — Rapper Mystikal, who is from New Orleans, Louisiana, will remain in jail while he waits for trial after a judge rejected his request for bond. He faces several charges tied to a 2022 case, and a conviction could mean life in prison.
Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, is charged with first-degree rape, domestic abuse battery, strangulation, and false imprisonment. He has pleaded not guilty. The charges stem from an incident that police investigated in 2022.
According to KLFY, Judge Steven Tureau made the decision during a court hearing on Tuesday. Mystikal’s mother and his business manager told the court they were willing to watch over him if he was released. Despite that offer, the judge chose to keep him in custody.
The court also set a new trial date for March 30, 2026. Officials expect the trial to run for at least a week. Mystikal has another hearing scheduled for January 21, 2026.
He previously served prison time for a 2003 sexual battery conviction. In 2016, he faced kidnapping and sexual assault charges, but that case was later dropped.
If he is found guilty in the current case, he could receive a life sentence.