Overview
- Los Angeles County Judge Ian Fusselman on Dec. 5 rejected Emani Ellis’s bid for a retrial, finding no basis to disturb the unanimous September verdict for Cardi B.
- The court dismissed claims that jurors were intimidated by a pen toss outside the courthouse, calling the argument speculative and unsupported by admissible evidence.
- Judge Fusselman read a sworn declaration from YouTuber Donat Ricketts stating the pen bounced and hit him and that he told a juror he did not plan to sue, which the judge said still did not justify a new trial.
- Arguments to exclude two defense eyewitnesses for late disclosure were rejected, with the judge noting both sides were allowed witness-list adjustments.
- The judge signaled he may order sanctions or attorney’s fees against Ellis’s lawyer, Ron Rosen Janfaza, over alleged trial misconduct, a matter the court has not yet resolved.