by Charlie Amter
Mar 2, 2005, 6:05 PM PT
With friends like these, Lil' Kim might end up in jail.
Prosecutors in the rapper's federal perjury and obstruction of justice trial kicked off their case Wednesday by calling a former Lil' Kim associate to testify against her.
The 29-year-old Grammy-winning hip-hop diva is charged with lying to a federal grand jury investigating a 2001 shooting incident that left one man injured outside of New York's Hot 97 radio station, where Kim was appearing with her former crew, Junior M.A.F.I.A. Prosecutors say Kim disavowed any relationship with one of the gunmen, Suif "Gutta" Jackson, and claimed that the other, her former manager Damion Butler, wasn't present at the time of the incident.
Kim, whose full name is Kimberly Jones, is facing one count of conspiracy, three counts of perjury, three counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction; charges that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. She has pleaded innocent to all charges and claims she is targeted because she is a gansta rapper. Her assistant, Monique Dopwell, is being tried on the same counts.
The jury was seated on Monday and opening arguments kicked off Tuesday, as the prosecution and defense laid out their cases.
On Wednesday, Jackson, who pleaded guilty last June to illegal weapons possession and was sentenced to 12 years, was compelled to testify via a court order. In exchange for immunity from further charges, he told the court that, contrary to Kim's grand jury testimony, he had been friends with the rapper for a decade. He also said he shot at a rival rap posse with his machine gun outside the radio station because "I was being fired on."
Jackson is the first in a parade of ex-Kim pals expected to turn evidence against the Queen Bee, who has forgone her sexy clothing style for a buttoned-up court wardrobe.
Butler, who pleaded guilty on Jan. 28 to weapons charges and faces up to 15 years in prison, is seeking a reduced sentence in exchange for his testimony later this week. He's expected to be followed by two former Junior M.A.F.I.A. members who were also present at the time of the shooting, Antoine "Banger" Spain and James "Lil Cease" Lloyd. The rappers will cooperate in exchange for a reduction of charges in unrelated criminal cases.
They are expected to testify that the shooting erupted following a clash with rival rappers Foxy Brown and Capone-N-Noreaga after Brown dissed Kim. Capone is also on the witness list.
Jurors will also see surveillance video from the station purportedly showing Kim standing on the street during the shootout and then ducking into a limo with Butler and Jackson.
In a statement Wednesday, Kim said, "I have confidence in our legal system and look forward to justice in my case.
"I would like to thank my amazing and loving fans for the overwhelming number of letters, e-mails, phone calls and expressions of support. It is very much appreciated, welcoming and gratifying during my time in need."
As Kim's trial plays out, cops are investigating yet another rap-related shooting outside Hot 97. An associate of 50 Cent remains hospitalized in serious condition after getting clipped Monday night as the rapper was being interviewed.
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