Looking to clear the
air of rumors surrounding Lil Kim’s perjury trial, now in deliberation, rapper
Capone has issued a statement regarding his role in the case.
Kim, born Kimberly Jones,
and her personal assistant, Monique Dopwell, are charged with lying to a federal
grand jury that investigated a 2001 shooting involving Kim’s entourage and rival
group Capone-and-Noreaga outside New York radio station Hot 97.
Kim told federal investigators
that she did not see two members of her entourage, Damion Butler and Suif Jackson,
at the shooting.
Some fans who claim loyalty
to Lil Kim have labeled those called upon to testify against her, including
Capone and former Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil Cease, "snitches" for
revealing details about the shooting.
Capone insisted that that
he was required to appear in court and that his testimony in the trial was not
damaging to Kim.
"I went to court because
I was subpoenaed and obligated to be there," Capone said in a statement.
"My testimony in no way incriminated Kim. I basically testified that I
didn’t see anything. The media is creating a frenzy out of this case, and people
should know what’s really going on."
Capone recounted that he
was approached by a member of Kim’s entourage while standing outside Hot 97
on Feb. 25, 2001. Both Kim’s group and
Capone-and-Noreaga were scheduled to appear for interviews the same day.
Capone said the person asked
him whether he had "a problem with Kim" because of a song he recorded
with Noreaga featuring Kim’s rival Foxy
Brown.
Gunfire erupted between
the two camps and a member of Capone’s entourage was shot.
Capone is releasing
his solo-debut, "Pain, Time & Glory," on May 24.
