Cardi B Prevails: judge Denies Retrial in Assault Case, Cites Lack of Jury Intimidation
A Los Angeles County judge has rejected a request for a retrial in the civil assault case involving Cardi B, finding no evidence that jurors were improperly influenced by events outside the courtroom. The ruling, delivered on Friday, December 5, marks a second legal victory for the Grammy-winning rapper in her dispute wiht Emani Ellis, who alleged she was scratched by Cardi B outside a Beverly Hills OB-GYN’s office in 2018.
The case hinged on whether jurors were swayed by a widely publicized incident in which Cardi B tossed a pen after being questioned about pregnancy rumors by YouTuber Donat Ricketts outside the Alhambra Courthouse on September 2, 2025. Ellis’s legal team argued that the action could be perceived as intimidating.
According to reports from Rolling Stone, Judge Ian Fusselman persistent there were no grounds to overturn the initial unanimous verdict in Cardi B’s favor. The judge reasoned that the jury’s decision was based solely on the evidence presented during the trial, not on external factors.
The incident involving the pen toss became central to the retrial request. Footage shows Cardi B snatching a pen intended for an autograph and throwing it in the direction of Ricketts, stating, “Stop disrespecting me. Don’t disrespect me.” Ricketts submitted a sworn declaration on Thursday,December 4,claiming the pen bounced off the ground and struck him,though he indicated he had no plans to pursue legal action.
During court proceedings, Judge Fusselman challenged the assertion that the incident intimidated the jury, suggesting it may have inadvertently strengthened Ellis’s case. “Wouldn’t that tend to help your case, rather than hurt it?” he questioned. “Isn’t that why you wanted the jury to find out about it? You came into court and said, ‘I want [the] jury to know this just happened.'”
The judge further emphasized the jury’s autonomy,stating they were “free to ask any questions or make any comments,and they didn’t.” He concluded that “nothing outside the courtroom had any impact on the jury’s deliberations.”
Following the initial trial win in September, Cardi B maintained her innocence, stating to reporters, “I did not touch that woman. I didn’t lay my hands on that girl.” The mother of four has consistently denied the allegations made by Ellis.
This latest ruling solidifies Cardi B’s 2-0 record in her legal battles with Ellis, bringing a definitive close to this chapter of the ongoing dispute.
Why did this legal battle begin? In 2018, Emani Ellis alleged that Cardi B scratched her during an altercation outside a Beverly Hills OB-GYN’s office. Who was involved? The key players were rapper Cardi B and emani Ellis. Cardi B’s legal team successfully defended her against the allegations. What was the outcome? A Los Angeles County judge denied Ellis’s request for a retrial, upholding the initial verdict in Cardi B’s favor. How did it end? The judge found no evidence that the jury was improperly influenced by a separate incident involving Cardi B throwing a pen at a YouTuber, concluding the jury’s decision was based solely on the evidence presented at trial. this marks Cardi B’s second legal win against Ellis.
