One-Hour Jury Deliberation Ends in Victory for Cardi B
Los Angeles- American rapper Cardi B has secured a major courtroom victory after a Los Angeles jury ruled in her favor in a $24 million civil lawsuit brought by a security guard who accused her of assault.
The lawsuit was filed by Emani Ellis, who alleged that the Grammy-winning rapper attacked her outside an obstetrician’s office in Alhambra in 2018. Ellis claimed Cardi B used a three-inch fingernail to scratch her cheek and spat on her during the encounter, which she said left her “traumatized.”
At the time of the incident, Cardi B was secretly four months pregnant with her first child. Court records revealed that the medical office closed for the day to protect her privacy after the confrontation.
During the trial, which began last week, Cardi B took the witness stand and delivered spirited testimony. She denied all allegations, describing Ellis instead as an aggressor who followed her, recorded her without consent, and refused to respect her personal boundaries.
“I was just trying to mind my business,” Cardi B told the court. “She wouldn’t stop recording me, and I felt cornered. But I never laid a hand on her the way she described.”
After approximately one hour of deliberation, the jury sided with the rapper, clearing her of all counts, including assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment.
The verdict not only frees Cardi B from the financial threat of the multi-million-dollar lawsuit but also reinforces her consistent claims of innocence.
Outside the courthouse, Cardi B expressed relief and gratitude.
“I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, and for the people I take care of,” she said. “Don’t ever think you’re going to sue me and I’ll just settle. I fight back.”
She also called for compassion toward Ellis despite the legal battle, urging fans and the media to respect her privacy moving forward.
Clash With Reporter: The day’s drama, however, didn’t end in the courtroom. Following her acquittal, Cardi B — now visibly pregnant again — confronted a reporter who asked her a personal question about her relationship with her husband, rapper Offset.
The reporter suggested that Offset had been “bragging” about getting her pregnant for the fourth time and asked whether she foresaw “any paternity issues with Stefa and Big.”
Clearly offended, Cardi B reacted by tossing a pen in the reporter’s direction and snapping back:
“Stop disrespecting me. Don’t disrespect me.”
She went on to challenge the reporter more pointedly:
“Do you see women asking me those kinds of questions? Why do you feel, as a man, you get to? Act like you have some manners. Your mama taught you to respect women.”
The exchange sparked mixed reactions. Supporters praised Cardi B for standing up to what they described as invasive and sexist questioning. Critics, however, expressed concern that her physical response — however minor — could overshadow her courtroom victory, especially coming immediately after being cleared of assault allegations.
Despite the controversy, the 32-year-old rapper demonstrated resilience both in and out of court. From successfully defending herself in a high-stakes legal battle to demanding respect from the press, Cardi B underscored her determination to control her narrative.
For fans, the day’s events were a reminder of her outspoken nature and unwillingness to be intimidated — whether by multimillion-dollar lawsuits or by disrespectful questions from the media.
