Cardi B Wins Appeal Against Security Guard's Request for New Trial Following Pen-Tossing Incident

Cardi B has secured another legal victory after a Los Angeles County judge rejected a bid for a new trial from Emani Ellis, the security guard who alleged the rapper scratched her with an acrylic nail in 2018 outside a Beverly Hills medical office. The initial jury had ruled unanimously in favor of the Grammy-winning artist three months prior.

Judge Ian Fusselman dismissed Elliss claims that certain eyewitnesses should have been excluded due to late disclosure and that jurors were intimidated by Cardi Bborn Belcalis Almnzarafter a pen was tossed outside the courthouse shortly before the verdict.

Video footage shows Almnzar dropping a pen to the ground after YouTube personality Donat Ricketts asked questions about her unannounced pregnancy with partner Stefon Diggs. Almnzar later told Ricketts, Stop disrespecting me. In court filings, Ricketts stated the pen bounced and struck him, but any suggestion of juror intimidation was deemed hearsay by the judge, who emphasized that jurors were attentive and based their verdict solely on the evidence.

The jury returned a decision in Cardi Bs favor after only an hour of deliberation, finding Ellis had not proven that the rapper assaulted her on February 24, 2018. The incident reportedly occurred after Almnzar believed Ellis was recording her outside a doctors office while she was secretly pregnant with her first child with Migos rapper Offset.

During testimony, Almnzar denied physically touching Ellis, stating the confrontation was verbal only. Witnesses, including Dr. David Finke and receptionist Tierra Malcolm, supported Almnzars account, indicating that Ellis appeared to be the aggressor during the hallway altercation.

Elliss lawyer had argued that Almnzar intentionally concealed the identities of key witnesses. However, the court noted that the plaintiff had known the witnesses and even attempted to involve one in her legal strategy shortly after the incident. Judge Fusselman also indicated potential sanctions against Elliss attorney for misleading the jury about barred testimony.

This ruling adds to Cardi Bs record of civil court successes, including a previous $4 million jury verdict against gossip vlogger Tasha K. and a federal case regarding artwork used on her mixtape cover. Following her recent courtroom victory, Almnzar released Courtroom Edition album covers highlighting her trial moments and hairstyles.

Author: Benjamin Carter