How did Cardi B's lawyer respond to assault claims? Case explained as rapper faces civil trial over 2018 incident

On Monday, a civil trial between Cardi B and Emani Ellis, a security guard, began over an incident that happened seven years ago. The trial opened with Ellis taking the stand, recalling the incident of seeing the Bodak Yellow rapper outside the obstetrician’s office and verbally exclaiming that it's her. That was when Belcalis Marlenis Cephus turned around and confronted Ellis for using her phone to record her private visit to the hospital.

Ellis said on the stand:

"She was extremely upset... She put her finger in my face... I was deeply traumatized about what happened," she explained that she was not on the phone with anyone, nor was she recording.

Additionally, Emani Ellis claimed that Cardi B was swearing at her and cut her cheek with a three-inch nail.

However, Cephus' lawyer pointed out the contradictions in her story by citing the report Ellis submitted two days after the alleged assault. Keep reading to learn how Ellis' story and the reports she submitted do not match.

What did Cardi B's lawyer say about Emani Ellis' story in court?

Cardi B's lawyer, Peter Anderson, began by saying that Ellis' story of not using a phone while she saw the singer was false. In the report she submitted to her supervisor, she mentioned that she had her phone next to her ear when the confrontation began with Belcalis because she was checking her voicemails since her mother was ill.

He pointed out another contradiction in her story by saying:

"You said in the incident report that she scratched you on your nose, [but] you testified in this trial that Cardi B cut your cheek,... You changed your story," the reports did not mention any cut on Ellis' cheek.

To which the security guard replied:

"She touched my nose, but she scratched my cheek."

Peter Anderson also told the court on behalf of his client his version of how the incident went down seven years ago. He explained that Belcalis was concerned about her first pregnancy, which was still a secret at the time, and decided to make a confidential appointment. Belcalis got out of the elevator when she saw Emani.

He elaborated:

"Cardi turned around and saw the plaintiff holding up the phone, filming or photographing her."

When Cardi B asked Emani why she was trying to take a picture of her in a private setting. The security guard allegedly answered:

"Because I can."

Anderson did agree that there was a verbal argument, but in his client's defense, it was Emani who posed a threat, and Cardi was afraid for her unborn child.

He explained further:

"Cardi B was facing someone, with all respect, who testified she was 240-250 pounds, wearing black military boots, hovering over her, yelling and screaming at her, taking swings at her, trying to get to her... There will be evidence that it was [Ellis] who yelled, 'I will fuck your shit up.' That’s when someone intevened and dragged [Ellis] to an elevator and said, 'You have to leave.'"

He added:

"...feared for her unborn baby. This is her first pregnancy, and a very large woman was advancing towards her. She was utterly confused that a security guard could be her attacker."

Cardi B was present in the courtroom on Monday. She will be taking the stand and testifying on Tuesday (Aug. 26). When she was leaving the courthouse, she was seen video calling her 11-month-old daughter, Blossom.

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