Hip-hop diva Lil’ Kim repeatedly told a grand jury “preposterous” lies, a federal prosecutor told jurors today (March 14) as she urged them to convict the hip-hop diva of perjury for her eyewitness account of a 2001 gunfight.
“Maybe she really believed she was the queen bee, that she was above the law,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Cathy Seibel said during her closing argument in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Last week, Lil’ Kim had testified that she “could not come into a grand jury and purposely tell false statements and lie.” But Seibel, calling Lil’ Kim’s testimony “laughable,” said that’s exactly what she did.
“It’s like ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ It’s whatever lie is expedient at the moment,” she said. Seibel presented evidence during the trial that Lil’ Kim also owes nearly $1 million in back taxes.
Lil’ Kim, 29, and her personal assistant have pleaded not guilty to perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges.
The trial stems from a shootout that erupted when Lil’ Kim’s entourage crossed paths with that of rival hip-hop group Capone-N-Noreaga on Feb. 25, 2001, outside New York radio station WQHT, or HOT 97. One man was injured as more than two dozen rounds were fired on the sidewalk.
Seibel said the shooting “only by a miracle didn’t injure anybody else.” After witnessing the event, Lil’ Kim allegedly lied under oath to protect her manager, Damion Butler, and a friend, Suif Jackson, who since have pleaded guilty to gun charges.
The jury has heard Antoine “Banger” Spain and James “Lil’ Cease” Lloyd — Brooklyn rappers who once teamed with Lil’ Kim in a group called Junior M.A.F.I.A. — testify that they saw Butler and Jackson at the radio station with her.
Security photos taken at the station show Butler opening a door for her and the pair outside together just moments before the shooting. The jury was reshown those photos during the closing argument today.
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