NEW YORK — A judge on Wednesday delayed rapper Jay-Z's preliminary hearing on felony assault charges stemming from the December 1999 stabbing of music industry executive Lance "Un" Rivera.

The hearing was rescheduled for April 16 because Jay-Z's lawyer, Murray Richman, is tied up with another high-profile defendant, Jamal "Shyne" Barrow, currently on trial facing charges of attempted murder and assault (see [article id="1438063"]"Lawyers Come Out Swinging As Puffy/Shyne Trial Begins"[/article]).

Because Jay-Z has maintained his innocence since the beginning (see [article id="1430541"]"Jay-Z Turns Himself In To Police For Questioning, Denies Involvement In Stabbing"[/article]), jury selection for an impending trial will also begin April 16, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office.

Jay-Z's claim of innocence ties into the theme of the rapper's next single and video, "Guilty Until Proven Innocent." Set in a courtroom, the clip is scheduled to begin shooting in Los Angeles early next month (see [article id="1439526"]"Jay-Z, R. Kelly To Shoot 'Innocent' Courtroom Video"[/article]).