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Digital Phablet – Cardi B Wins Legal Case, Jury Quickly Finds Her Not Guilty
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American rapper Cardi B recently prevailed in a civil lawsuit filed against her in Beverly Hills. During two days of testimony, which included moments of rudeness and humor, she managed to keep the jury entertained.
The legal battle stemmed from an incident outside an obstetrician’s office, where Emani Ellis sued Cardi B for $24 million, alleging assault, hitting, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Ellis claimed that during the altercation, the rapper scratched her face with a long nail, leaving a scar.
The jury deliberated for less than an hour before declaring Cardi B not guilty of all charges.
After the verdict, Cardi B told reporters outside court, “I swear to God, I will say it on my deathbed — I did not touch that woman.” She also mentioned that the civil case prevented her from seeing her children on their first day of school.
She expressed her gratitude, stating, “Thanks to my attorneys, the jurors, the judge, and the respectful press.”
In court, Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known professionally as Cardi B, denied ever hitting, scratching, or spitting at Ellis, explaining she thought Ellis was recording her on her phone. The incident reportedly took place on February 24, 2018, when Cardi B was four months pregnant and attending a checkup.
During closing statements, Cardi B nearly fell asleep, humorously highlighting the ongoing trial.
Ellis, who worked as a security guard at the Beverly Hills building where Cardi B was meeting, testified that she saw the artist exit the elevator and was so excited she exclaimed, “Wow, it’s Cardi B.” She then alleged that Cardi B questioned her about rumors of her presence at the doctor’s office.
Ellis accused Cardi B of calling her names, using racial slurs, threatening, mocking her appearance, and physically attacking her — including spitting, hitting, and scratching her cheek with a long fingernail.
However, the jury believed Cardi B’s version of events, determining Ellis was the aggressor.
In court, Cardi B presented herself as the victim, describing Ellis as the one who initiated the conflict. She characterized Ellis’s actions as an attempt to extort money and testified that they exchanged slaps and insults, but nothing more.
The judge noted her direct words to Ellis, saying, “B—, get the f— out of my face,” and questioned Ellis about her proximity and record-keeping, arguing that her security duties did not justify her aggressive behavior.
Cardi B, who was visibly pregnant and of modest stature at the time, explained she wouldn’t have attempted to fight a much larger person. She also delivered a humorous remark about feeling “very disabled” while pregnant when asked if she felt incapacitated during the incident.
Additional testimony from staff working alongside Cardi B supported her claims. Malcolm, an office worker for Dr. Finke, stated he witnessed Ellis corner the rapper and attempted to intervene when the guard reportedly reached out to grab Cardi B, resulting in a cut on Ellis’s face. Dr. Finke affirmed seeing the guard hurt Ellis but not Cardi B.
During closing arguments, lawyer Ron Rosen Janfaza emphasized that without video evidence, it was up to the jury to decide whether Ellis could be trusted, praising her as a good citizen. He argued that her allegations of assault were unsubstantiated, noting the absence of police reports, hospital visits, or medical treatment following the incident.
Conversely, Cardi B’s defense attorney Peter Anderson challenged the security guard’s account, asserting that her actions were limited to verbal exchanges and that she didn’t physically assault Ellis. He pointed out the inconsistencies in Ellis’s injuries and behavior, arguing that the lack of medical treatment suggested no serious harm occurred.
The case drew significant public attention, with many amused by Cardi B’s humorous courtroom antics and candid statements about her pregnancy and experiences with security personnel.
In a final note, the court concluded that Cardi B’s actions did not warrant any legal repercussions, ending the legal saga with a clear verdict of not guilty.
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