In brief
Cardi B has been acquitted by a Los Angeles jury of assault and battery charges, originating from a confrontation with a security guard in 2018. The guard alleged that Cardi B attacked her during a heated exchange while the rapper was trying to maintain her privacy regarding her then-secret pregnancy. Cardi B testified that she never assaulted the security guard, and the jury’s decision came just an hour after deliberations. Following the ruling, the rapper emphasized her hard work and encouraged her fans to remain respectful.
Cardi B was cleared of assault by a Los Angeles jury after a security guard sued her for $24m (£18m) over an alleged fingernail attack.
Emani Ellis alleged that the US rapper cut her cheek with a 3in (7.5cm) fingernail and spat on her outside an obstetrician's office in 2018. The rapper was pregnant at the time, which wasn't public knowledge.
The civil trial in Alhambra led to a series of viral moments as the rapper took the stand and offered colourful testimony about the incident and her fashion choices.
She told the court that the guard followed her and filmed her on her phone and wouldn't give her space or privacy. Ms. Ellis, however, claimed the incident left her traumatised.
The jury took only about an hour to clear the Grammy-winning rapper of the allegations of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as negligence and false imprisonment.
Speaking to reporters following the ruling, Cardi B stated: I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, for the people that I take care of. So don't you ever think that you're going to sue me, and I'm just going to settle.
She also called on her fans not to bother Ms. Ellis or her family now that a judgement had been reached.
The case centered around Cardi B's obstetrics appointment when she was four months pregnant with her first child. The doctor's office had closed for the day to respect her privacy, as her pregnancy was not yet public.
Cardi B acknowledged to the court that she and Ms. Ellis had a shouting match after she showed up to the doctor's appointment. She said it was heated but denied ever touching or spitting on the guard.
Her case was bolstered by testimony from the doctor she was there to see and his receptionist, who attempted to intervene in the argument. The receptionist testified that Ms. Ellis was the aggressor, leading the jury to clear Cardi B of any wrongdoing.
Outside the courthouse, fans of the rapper showed their support. One supporter, Christine Orozco, held a sign referencing a famous trial of O.J. Simpson, drawing parallels with the case as it joked about the nails involved in the dispute.
Overall, Cardi B will not face any penalties, and the jury found her not liable for any injury to Ms. Ellis.
