Rapper Remy Ma is set to appeal the guilty verdict she received last week in her trial for weapons and assault charges. The hip-hop star - real name Remy Smith - faces up to 25 years in jail after she was convicted of shooting a woman outside a New York nightclub last year.

She was found guilty on two counts of first degree assault, attempted coercion and criminal possession of a weapon.

But her attorney Ivan Fischer is currently preparing to file an appeal against the Manhattan Supreme Court grand jury's decision, in a bid to have the verdict overturned, according to AllHipHop.com.

And Remy is calling on her fans to help her win over the judge when she is sentenced later this year - by sending in messages of support.

In a new posting on her MySpace.com page, she asks her devotees to write to the court, describing how her music has "positively affected you, influenced you, inspired you, etc.... in hopes (sic) that the judge will be lenient."

She will hear her fate on April 23, when she is due to be sentenced.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)