Nationwide — Courtney Clenney, a white woman from Miami, Florida, who is accused of killing her African American boyfriend, appeared in court making playful faces and sticking out her tongue. She faces second-degree murder charges over the 2022 stabbing of Christian Obumseli, 27, in their apartment.
Clenney, 29, an OnlyFans and Instagram model with millions of followers, reportedly stabbed Obumseli multiple times. She has pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense and saying he was abusive.
According to Atlanta Black Star, prosecutors say the fatal injury came from a downward knife plunge that hit an artery. Obumseli’s body also showed multiple scars, suggesting past violence.
After the stabbing, Clenney flew to Hawaii. Four months later, she was extradited to Florida and has remained in jail since. Her defense maintains that Obumseli was the aggressor and that Clenney acted to protect herself.
At the motions hearing, Clenney drew attention by blowing kisses, pursing her lips, and sticking out her tongue as she waited for proceedings. The playful gestures came amid legal disputes over expert witnesses.
The defense tried to remove Dr. Michael Bannon due to a decades-old conflict with their own expert, Dr. Lenore Walker. Judge Andrea Wolfson denied the request, allowing both experts to participate.
Prosecutors also sought to present secret recordings Obumseli made of Clenney, but the judge barred most of them. Recordings taken on the apartment balcony and lobby were allowed, as the court ruled there was no expectation of privacy in those areas.
Clenney’s trial is scheduled to begin in March.