Judge Rejects Bid for New Trial in Case Against Cardi B

A Los Angeles judge has ruled in favour of rapper Cardi B, rejecting security guard Emani Ellis’ request for a new trial after she unsuccessfully sued the artist for assault in September.

Ellis had claimed that Cardi B assaulted her in a hallway at a Beverly Hills doctor’s office in 2018, during a visit the rapper was attempting to keep private as she had not yet revealed her pregnancy. Cardi told jurors she wished to keep the appointment secret because she did not want to announce her first pregnancy with Offset at that time, alleging that Ellis filmed her and exposed the situation.

Cardi acknowledged that the two exchanged heated words but firmly denied assaulting Ellis, who alleged she had been cut by a three-inch nail and spat on, leaving her traumatised.

The jury took less than an hour to reach a verdict in Cardi’s favour. Following the loss, Ellis argued Cardi had “intimidated” jurors by throwing a pen at a reporter while speaking to the media, and sought a new trial.

Cardi’s lawyers called the request “baseless” and “absurd”. At Friday’s hearing, Judge Ian C. Fusselman dismissed the pen-tossing argument and formally denied the motion for a new trial, according to Rolling Stone.

The judge wrote that even if the claims were proven, it was unconvincing to suggest that throwing a pen could have influenced the jury’s verdict, given the nature of the accusations.

One matter still unresolved is the alleged misconduct of Ellis' lawyer, Rosen Janfaza, who questioned Cardi on the stand about supposed gang ties. Cardi’s legal team has requested sanctions, and the judge is expected to decide in the coming weeks.

The September trial produced several viral clips, including humorous exchanges and expressive reactions from Cardi on the witness stand. In one moment, when asked how she knew Ellis was physically larger, she simply pointed to her eyes and stated she weighed “130 pounds at that time”, a comment that generated significant attention online.

Another line of questioning focused on her wigs, drawing criticism across social media for misogynistic and racially charged undertones.

Cardi released her latest album Am I The Drama? this year. NME gave the album a two-star review, calling it “overstuffed and underwhelming”. The record features guest appearances from Cash Cobain, Janet Jackson, Kehlani, Lizzo, Selena Gomez, Summer Walker, Tyla and Megan Thee Stallion.

Ahead of the release, Cardi promoted the album in unconventional ways, including recording public service announcements for the New York City subway.

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