andPOP) - Rapper Lil' Kim has been convicted of lying to a federal grand jury regarding a series of shots fired at a New York hip hop music station in 2001.
She told a grand jury that she did not see two friends (manager Damion Butler and Suif "Gutta" Jackson) at the scene. Both have pleaded guilty to gun charges.
The shootout occurred outside the studios of Hot 97 when Lil' Kim and her entourage were confronted by rap group Capone-N-Noreaga. An argument ensued over a song that contained a verse performed by Foxy Brown insulting Kim (real name Kimberly Jones).
Over two dozen shots were fired, leaving one man injured.
In court, Cathy Seibel, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, told the jury that Kim not only lied to them but also to the grand jury, saying that it was impossible Kim didn't see her two friends at the scene.
Her defense lawyer, Mel Sachs, argued that Kim had no reason to protect those two individuals because they are no longer involved in her life. "They were taking advantage of me," she said on the stand.
Kim faces up to 20 years in prison. She will be sentenced on June 24. Thursday, she was convicted of three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy. She was acquitted of obstruction of justice.
She left the court in tears, but smiled when she saw her fans.
"Throughout my life, I have always lived with adversity and will continue to have faith and do good for my family, friends and fans," she said later in a statement. She would not comment to reporters when she left the court.
Kim's assistant, Monique Dopwell, was convicted of convicted of perjury and conspiracy and faces up to 15 years in prison.
Another shooting occurred last month, also outside the Hot 97 studios, involving entourages of The Game and 50 Cent. It is believed that one member of Game's entourage was shot in the leg.
(zach)
free xbox?or an iPod? 
