Former Friends Testify Against Lil’ Kim

An associate of rap diva Lil’ Kim testified March 7th that a New York City radio station was asking for trouble by booking the performer and her rap rivals for interviews on the same day.

Antoine “Banger” Spain was a member of Lil’ Kim’s entourage in February 2001 when it exited WQHT in Manhattan after an interview as rival Capone N’ Noreaga and crew arrived. A shootout between the two camps resulted in one man from Capone’s entourage being shot in the back. He survived his injuries.

“I just couldn’t believe [the radio station] would do that,” Spain said. “There was like heat between us.”

The feud allegedly stems from a duet by Capone and rapper Foxy Brown that bad-mouths Lil’ Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Jones. Spain — a former member of rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A. which included Jones — further testified that a man he didn’t recognize began shooting before he and Jones took cover inside a limousine.

Another Junior M.A.F.I.A. member, James Lloyd (Lil’ Cease), reportedly testified against Jones, as well.

Jones and her assistant, Monique Dopwell, face perjury and conspiracy charges. If convicted, they could be sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The Grammy-winner is accused of lying to a grand jury several times about what happened between the groups in order to protect her manager, Damion Butler, and bodyguard Suif Jackson. Prosecutors reportedly said Jones told the grand jury she did not know Butler and Jackson.

Defense attorney Mel Sachs said his client was too traumatized by the gun battle to remember every detail. He argued “a person can be incorrect and not intentionally lie.”

Jackson pleaded guilty last June for his involvement in the shootout. He admitted firing a gun at least 20 times during the melee. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

He was reportedly forced to testify by a government subpoena, but wouldn’t answer any questions on the stand until the judge granted him immunity, according to Reuters.

Butler has since pleaded guilty to gun charges stemming from the incident.