Cardi B Defense Grills Ammani Ellis: Disputes Over Spitting, Phone Calls, and Alleged Scar

In the ongoing civil trial involving rapper Cardi B and security guard Ammani Ellis, the defense intensified its cross-examination of Ellis, challenging key aspects of her allegations related to the February 2018 incident at a Beverly Hills medical office.

Incident Report and Phone Usage

Ellis testified that on the day of the incident, she was wearing black boots and had an earpiece in her ear while checking voicemail. However, the incident report she submitted stated she had her phone to her ear during the confrontation. The defense highlighted this inconsistency, emphasizing the importance of accurate incident reporting in security work.

Further scrutiny was placed on Ellis’s phone records, revealing calls made shortly after the incident, including a 22-minute call at approximately 1:10 p.m. and an 8-minute call at 1:40 p.m. Ellis could not definitively identify the recipients of these calls but suggested one might have been a family member.

Privacy and Professionalism

Ellis acknowledged that as a trained security guard, it would have been improper to disclose Cardi B’s presence as a patient at the medical facility. She denied sharing this information with anyone but admitted Cardi B believed she was using her phone to report her presence.

When questioned about using her personal cell phone to photograph or videotape Cardi B, Ellis denied doing so. She also confirmed that she no longer possessed the phone from that time and could not produce any photos or videos.

Confrontation Details

Ellis described stepping out of the elevator to confront Cardi B, asking her to repeat statements made during their verbal exchange. She recalled yelling and cursing at Cardi B for about 30 seconds, with employees from the medical office eventually intervening to separate them.

Ellis testified that Cardi B bit her during the altercation, though this was met with objections for being nonresponsive. She also stated in her incident report that Cardi B had her finger in her face and spat at her, which led to Ellis becoming angry and yelling for Cardi B to leave her alone.

Alleged Injuries and Inconsistencies

A significant focus of the defense was the alleged scratch Ellis claimed to have sustained. In her incident report, Ellis stated that Cardi B’s three-inch acrylic fingernails scratched her nose. However, during her deposition and trial testimony, Ellis clarified that the scratch was on her left cheek, not her nose.

The defense highlighted this inconsistency, noting that Ellis admitted there was no scar on her nose and that she did not seek medical treatment on the day of the incident for the alleged injury. Ellis testified that she took photographs of the injury at some point but could not locate them.

Employment and Medical Treatment

Ellis confirmed she was fired from her security guard position due to unprofessional conduct related to the incident. She later obtained a higher-paying job and filed a workers’ compensation claim, which led to psychological treatment with Dr. McKenzie. Ellis testified that the treatment was helpful.

Medical records obtained during the case showed no reference to scratches, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or blows to the head or face prior to the lawsuit. The defense pointed out that these conditions only appeared in medical documentation after Ellis filed the lawsuit.

Discovery and Legal Procedures

Ellis demonstrated limited understanding of legal discovery terms such as interrogatories and requests for admission, acknowledging that her attorneys prepared the discovery responses on her behalf.

The defense questioned Ellis about her knowledge and handling of discovery documents, including her verified responses to special interrogatories detailing the alleged assault and battery.

Summary

The defense’s cross-examination aimed to undermine Ellis’s credibility by exposing inconsistencies in her reports, testimony, and medical records. Key points of contention included the timing and nature of alleged spitting, the location and severity of the scratch, and Ellis’s phone usage during the incident.

As the trial progresses, these disputed details will play a crucial role in the jury’s assessment of the claims and defenses presented in this high-profile case.