Post by tajiritarantula on Jul 6, 2005 21:04:51 GMT -5
American rapper Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for lying to a grand jury over a 2001 shootout between her entourage and a rival rap group.
Before the judge issued the sentence, an emotional Lil' Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, admitted for the first time that she had lied in the case.
"I testified falsely during the grand jury and during trial. At the time I thought it was the right thing to do but I know it was wrong," she said. "I put a burden on a my family, on the court system and on my best friend. I take complete blame."
Known for her lewd lyrics, provocative wardrobe and a penchant for diamond jewelry, the curvaceous artist had faced a possible 20-year sentence. She will start serving time in September.
Her personal assistant, friend and co-defendant, Monique Dopwell, was convicted on two counts of perjury and one of conspiracy. She will be sentenced on another date.
During her trial, prosecutors charged the rapper with lying repeatedly to a grand jury investigating the 2001 shooting, in order to protect members of her group and derail the government's investigation.
The gunfight took place outside a rap music radio station in downtown New York City.
According to prosecutors, two members of Jones' group opened fire on rival hip-hop group Murder Unit, which is associated with the rappers Capone-N-Noreaga and Foxy Brown.
The two groups were involved in a long-simmering feud and the shooting was sparked by disparaging remarks Jones made against Brown on the radio. One person was seriously injured in the gun battle.
After gaining guilty pleas from several of those involved in the shooting, prosecutors accused Jones of lying to grand jury investigators when she denied knowing one of the gunmen and said another had not been present at the radio station
Before the judge issued the sentence, an emotional Lil' Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, admitted for the first time that she had lied in the case.
"I testified falsely during the grand jury and during trial. At the time I thought it was the right thing to do but I know it was wrong," she said. "I put a burden on a my family, on the court system and on my best friend. I take complete blame."
Known for her lewd lyrics, provocative wardrobe and a penchant for diamond jewelry, the curvaceous artist had faced a possible 20-year sentence. She will start serving time in September.
Her personal assistant, friend and co-defendant, Monique Dopwell, was convicted on two counts of perjury and one of conspiracy. She will be sentenced on another date.
During her trial, prosecutors charged the rapper with lying repeatedly to a grand jury investigating the 2001 shooting, in order to protect members of her group and derail the government's investigation.
The gunfight took place outside a rap music radio station in downtown New York City.
According to prosecutors, two members of Jones' group opened fire on rival hip-hop group Murder Unit, which is associated with the rappers Capone-N-Noreaga and Foxy Brown.
The two groups were involved in a long-simmering feud and the shooting was sparked by disparaging remarks Jones made against Brown on the radio. One person was seriously injured in the gun battle.
After gaining guilty pleas from several of those involved in the shooting, prosecutors accused Jones of lying to grand jury investigators when she denied knowing one of the gunmen and said another had not been present at the radio station
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