Capone Insists He's Not To Blame For Lil' Kim Verdict

As LIL' KIM prepares for jail, rapper CAPONE has stepped forward to insist his testimony in her perjury trial did no damage.

Yesterday (17MAR05), the Lady Marmalade rapper, real name KIMBERLY JONES, and her personal assistant, MONIQUE DOPWELL, were convicted of lying to a federal grand jury that investigated a 2001 shooting involving the star's entourage and rival group Capone-N-Noreaga outside New York radio station HOT 97.

Lil' Kim, who faces 30 years in jail, told federal investigators she did not see two members of her entourage, DAMION BUTLER and Suif Jackson, at the shooting.

Some Lil' Kim fans have labelled those called upon to testify against her, including Capone and former Junior Mafia member LIL' CEASE, "snitches" for revealing details about the shooting.

But in a statement released to website ALLHIPHOP.COM, Capone, real name KIAM HOLLEY, explains, "I went to court because I was subpoenaed and obligated to be there.

"My testimony in no way incriminated Kim. I basically testified that I didn't see anything. The media is creating a frenzy out of this case, and people should know what's really going on."

Capone recounted that he was approached by a member of Kim's entourage while standing outside Hot 97 on 25 February, 2001 and was asked whether he had "a problem with Kim" because of a song he recorded with Noreaga featuring Kim's rival FOXY BROWN.

Gunfire erupted between the two camps and a member of Capone's entourage was shot.