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Kristina Bumphrey / Contributor by way of Getty Pictures
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Metro Boomin on the “Hurry Up Tomorrow” world premiere
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Key Takeaways:
- Metro Boomin took the stand to disclaim allegations of sexual assault introduced on by Vanessa LeMaistre.
- The protection argued LeMaistre pursued the case for monetary acquire after their consensual encounters.
- A UCLA psychologist testified that LeMaistre has a number of psychological well being diagnoses unrelated to the alleged incident.
On Wednesday (Sept. 24), Metro Boomin testified at his civil trial for sexual assault. Persevering with to be adamant that he’s not a rapist, the producer took the stand to refute the allegations introduced on by Vanessa LeMaistre.
The alleged sufferer claims that, in 2016, she blacked out at a Los Angeles studio after ingesting alcohol and taking a Xanax, and woke as much as Metro Boomin — born Leland Tyler Wayne — sexually assaulting her. Nevertheless, the NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPE S creator advised a unique story on the stand. Per court docket reporter Meghann Cuniff, Metro Boomin stated below oath that he by no means raped LeMaistre, citing that his late mom raised him higher.
“To not get too deep, however me and my mother labored so laborious to construct an upstanding model and fame for me and myself and the whole lot I do,” he started. “After which they’ll accuse me of one thing like this, which I’d by no means even dream or fathom. I can’t even consider I’m residing this proper now, or up right here doing this, or losing my time and everyone else’s time with this.”
Metro Boomin contends that he did have sexual relations with LeMaistre twice. On Tuesday (Sept. 23) Metro’s legal professional Lawrence Hinkle advised the court docket she pursued the case as a result of his shopper “stopped giving her consideration after the final time that they had intercourse” and that she was in search of a payday. “We’re right here as a result of she thought my shopper might clear up her monetary issues,” Hinkle stated. “So, she made a declare that he sexually assaulted her, anticipating that he would simply write a verify to make all of it go away rapidly and quietly.”
It is also value noting that the protection’s first witness was April Thames, UCLA’s chief of psychology, who was employed by Metro Boomin’s attorneys to evaluate LeMaistre. The professor testified that she has “borderline character dysfunction with psychotic options, post-traumatic stress dysfunction and main depressive dysfunction,” per Cuniff.
“My opinion is that her psychological functioning has been like this for a really very long time,” Thames testified. “I feel there have been moments all through her life the place generally it’s higher and generally it will get worse, and that appears to be in step with whether or not or not she’s getting therapy. However I don’t suppose that there’s a connection between this and the allegations which have been made on this matter.”
Metro Boomin’s attorneys are additionally asserting that LeMaistre’s testimony from Tuesday contains discrepancies. As an example, she claimed she dated rapper Lil Wayne for 10 months. However throughout cross-examination, Metro Boomin’s legal professional implied this was not true.
LeMaistre is suing for damages between $3.4 million and $3.7 million. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday (Sept. 25).