50 Cent Won't Testify at Iverson Trial

Rapper 50 Cent won't have to testify in the upcoming assault trial of NBA basketball star Allen Iverson, a U.S. District Court judge ruled today.

50 Cent, whose legal name is Curtis James Jackson III, had received a subpoena to appear at Iverson's trial in Washington's federal court from lawyers for Marlin Godfrey and David Anthony Kittrell

The two Maryland men are the lead plaintiffs in a civil suit against Iverson regarding an alleged fracas in 2005 at the D.C. nightclub Eyebar. The complaint charges that Iverson's security detail, for whom he's responsible, began an unprovoked attack on the men that left Godfrey with a concussion and Kittrell and the two club bouncers with cuts and bruises.

According to the suit, Iverson and his detail arrived at the club in the wee hours of July 20 and confronted Godfrey and Kittrell when they were sitting in the VIP section, where the former Hoya wanted to lounge. The complaint charges that Iverson's security detail, for whom he's responsible, began an unprovoked attack on the men.

50 Cent's testimony was apparently sought because he was familiar with Iverson's security crew. But the rapper argued that he should not have to comply with the subpoena since he was not involved in the fight or named in the lawsuit.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle said 50 Cent cannot be compelled to testify in the civil case because he does not live within 100 miles of the court district and there is no evidence he regularly conducts business in Maryland, as plaintiffs suggest.

Iverson, a 32-year-old former Rookie of the Year, spent 10 years as a point guard with the Philadelphia 76ers before falling out of favor with the team and being traded to the Denver Nuggets last year.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/15/AR2007061500863.html