Platinum selling rapper
Lil’ Kim was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, fined $50,000
and sentenced to three years probation by a federal judge today (July 6), after
being convicted on federal perjury and conspiracy charges.
Lil’ Kim was escorted by rappers Freddie Foxxx (Bumpy
Knuckles), Maino and a fortress of security that helped fend off a mob of fans
as she entered a Manhattan court house to face sentencing.
Kim, born Kimberly Jones, was found guilty in March of 2005
of lying to a federal grand jury about her knowledge of a broad daylight shootout
that occurred in 2001 outside Hot 97’s SoHo offices.
The altercation occurred on February 25, 2001 when members of
Kim’s Junior M.A.F.I.A. entourage were leaving Hot 97 as men associated
with Capone-N-Noreaga were entering the radio station.
The two groups of men were at odds with each other over a song
on Capone-N-Noreaga’s album The Reunion, which featured fellow
Brooklyn rapper, Foxy Brown.
On the song “Bang, Bang,” Brown hurls insults in
Kim’s direction.
Brooklyn don’t raise hoes, just slip, and graze hoes/What
b**ch? You’re soft and your p**sy name hoes/So f**k your ni**as too, them ni**as
can get it too/Them f**ots act more b**ch then you/Let the ni**a [Notorious
B.I.G.] rest in peace, and hop off his d**k…b**ch do you
The lyrical feud boiled over when the groups collided in a verbal
altercation as Kim’s crew was leaving the radio station following an interview.
The drama escalated and a shootout took place on the street,
with over 22 shots fired from six different guns, including a machine gun. One
man associated with Capone-N-Noreaga was shot in the upper back.
Before the trial commenced, two men linked to Kim – former
manger Damion “D-Rock" Butler and bodyguard Suif “Gutta”
Jackson – pled guilty to their role in the shootout.
Federal authorities investigating the incident called Kim to
testify before a federal grand jury in 2003 about her knowledge of the altercation.
Kim repeatedly testified that she didn’t know the person or persons responsible
for the shootout.
Jackson pled guilty to gun charges surrounding the incident
in September of 2004 and Judge Lynch sentenced him to 12 years in prison due
to his involvement in the shooting.
Butler pled in January of 2005 and is awaiting sentencing as
of press time.
During the trial, Butler admitted that he fired the handgun
outside of the radio station “with the intent of hurting someone.”
Kim entered a not guilty plea in April of 2005 before a federal
judge and her attorney Mel Sachs called the allegations “baseless.”
She surrendered in a New York Federal Court and was freed on
$500,000 bond.
During the trial, prosecutors produced photographs of Kim standing
near Butler shortly before the shooting, as well as a video of several of the
suspects entering Lil’ Kim’s limousine following the shooting.
Kim labeled Butler and Jackson former associates who were “greedy
and violent” men that were exploiting her and testified that she had ended
her relationship with the men prior to the shooting.
During her testimony, Kim said that she couldn’t remember
details of the shooting, which she said was “very traumatic.”
"I was shaken by it,” Kim testified. “I couldn’t
believe it was happening at that very moment."
The jury, made up of five women and seven men, deliberated for
almost three days before finding Kim guilty of lying a total of 29 times in
three appearances in 2003.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cathy Siebel told the jury that Kim’s
testimony was “laughable” and that the rapper may have believed
she was above the law.
Today an apologetic Lil’ Kim issued the following statement:”I would like to thank all of my supporters who have stood by my side throughout this entire ordeal. The many prayers and hundreds of letters of support, e-mails and kind words that have poured in have been overwhelming and critical in helping my family, loved ones and myself stay strong during this time of need. Today was a very difficult day for me, but I am no stranger to adversity and will do whatever I need to do so that I can continue to work hard and give back to my family, amazing fans and community.”
Lil’ Kim, who will turn 30 years-old next week, is currently finishing
up material for a new album, as well as various television endeavors in anticipation
of her stint in federal prison.
As of press time,
no word has been given as to whether or not Lil’ Kim will appeal the sentence.
Kim must surrender to authorities on September 19.