Lil’ Kim took the stand in her own defense in her federal perjury and obstruction of justice trial in New York City. New York Newsday reports that the rapper denied lying to a grand jury in 2003 about a shooting which took place outside of New York City radio station WQHT-FM on February 25, 2001.
The rapper testified that she felt intimidated when prosecutors questioned her in 2003. She said, “I felt like I was being badgered. I felt I was a victim there (at the shooting).” The rapper added, “I did the best I could to remember. I did not lie. I’m not guilty of any of these crimes.”
Lil’ Kim also offered an explanation as to why she failed to identify her bodyguard Suif “C-Gutta” Jackson when presented with a photo. She said, “I said it could be Gutta but I wasn’t sure…I didn’t want to make a positive identification because I just wasn’t sure.”
The rapper also stuck by her statement that she didn’t see her former manager and ex-boyfriend Damion “D-Roc” Butler at the radio station that day, although prosecutors have presented surveillance footage of Butler escorting the rapper to and from the radio station.
During Lil’ Kim’s cross-examination by her lawyer Mel Sachs, she explained why she didn’t feel the need to lie to protect Butler and Jackson. She said, “Why would I after what they did to me. I’m so happy I’m away from them…they did me so wrong. I have no reason to lie for them.”
According to the rapper, the two men often took advantage of her celebrity, and Butler allegedly stole a $60,000 Rolex watch from her.
Jackson and Butler have both pleaded guilty to firing several shots that day at the entourage of rapper Capone of Capone-N-Noreaga. A member of Capone’s entourage was hit in the back during the shootout.
Lil’ Kim and her assistant, Monique Dopwell, are currently facing perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy charges for allegedly lying to a grand jury. If Lil’ Kim is found guilty of all charges, she could face up to 30 years in jail.
In related news, some fans of the Junior MAFIA have publicly voiced their disdain at the fact that Junior MAFIA members testified against their former group mate Lil’ Kim in her ongoing federal perjury and obstruction of justice trial. Junior MAFIA member Lil’ Cease, who was once Lil’ Kim’s hype man and a close friend, explained why he took the stand against his former friend in a recent interview with SOHH.com.
Lil’ Cease said, “None of us was there on our own behalf, we got subpoenaed. And this not the state police, this is the federal government…We wasn’t in there telling on her, ’cause she didn’t do nothing for us to tell on. The people that actually did things already copped out to it, they already got sent away. So this should have been over and done already, but now she’s on trial for lying to the grand jury.”
The rapper added, “She said she didn’t know certain people, and they got evidence together that she did know them. So we got subpoenaed and had to come in and testify again to what was already on the record. The people she said she didn’t know, we know those people, too. So if we didn’t go up there and tell the truth, that just means we go to jail. Why would I go up there and jeopardize myself like that, for someone who’s not even on good terms with me, who doesn’t even mess with me.”
Lil’ Kim is facing perjury and obstruction of justice charges for lying to a grand jury which was investigating a February 2001 shooting outside of New York City radio station WQHT-FM. The rapper could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty on all charges.
Credit: Launch Radio Networks