Charges of computer hacking against OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney and her parents have been dismissed after a judge ruled that the prosecution's use of communications between them violated attorney-client privilege. The decision stemmed from an investigation into the stabbing death of her boyfriend, Christian Obumseli.
Courtney Clenney, a prominent OnlyFans model, has had computer hacking charges against her and her parents rescinded after a judge ruled that the prosecution's use of communications between them infringed upon attorney-client privilege.
Clenney, 28, has been in custody since August 2022, accused of fatally stabbing her boyfriend, Christian Obumseli, 27, in the heart at their luxury Miami apartment. The slaying was initially deemed self-defense, but as Obumseli's family voiced concerns, investigators delved deeper.
Miami Model Clenney's Computer Hacking Charges Dropped Amid Privilege Violation
Prosecutors subsequently added computer hacking charges against Clenney and her parents following an examination of communications between her father and her defense team. However, these charges have now been withdrawn due to the judge's ruling that the prosecution's use of those communications breached attorney-client privilege.
Jude Faccidomo, the Clenney family's defense attorney in the hacking case, argued that the Miami State Attorney's Office should disqualify itself from the case after reviewing the materials. He maintained that the communications involved private defense strategy between Courtney Clenney and her other attorneys.
Miami Model Clenney's Computer Hacking Charges Dropped Amid Privilege Violation
A Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office representative stated that investigators were unaware of an attorney-client relationship between Clenney's parents and Prieto. "Judge Laura Cruz found that prosecutors were unaware that attorney Frank Prieto represented Kim and Deborah Clenney since a retainer agreement hiring him was only produced after their arrest," spokesperson Ed Griffith said.
He added that attorney Prieto had not publicly indicated that he represented Kim and Deborah Clenney, only their daughter. Police, after reading the text messages, discovered evidence of a crime and shared it with prosecutors. However, following the judge's ruling, the charges had to be dropped.
Miami Model Clenney's Computer Hacking Charges Dropped Amid Privilege Violation
Kim Clenney, 60, and Deborah Clenney, 57, are accused of communicating PIN and password options in a group text with four of their daughter's lawyers. These lawyers allegedly obtained the login details from the jailed murder suspect.
Prieto declined to comment on Friday. Previously, he asserted that there was "clear evidence of self-defense" and that Obumseli had choked Clenney before the stabbing. "Courtney had no choice but to meet force with force," he said.
Miami Model Clenney's Computer Hacking Charges Dropped Amid Privilege Violation
Friends described the couple's relationship as volatile. While they asserted that Clenney was often the aggressor, she had filed a restraining order against Obumseli prior to his death. However, videos have surfaced of her shouting, hitting, and using racial slurs towards him.
OnlyFans model Courtney Clenney sits in the courtroom during a hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building in Miami Dec. 8, 2022. (Pool via Miami Herald)
Miami Model Clenney's Computer Hacking Charges Dropped Amid Privilege Violation
Attorneys for Obumseli's family maintain that Clenney was the manipulative abuser with a history of domestic violence, not him. Exclusive photos obtained by Fox News Digital show that in a photo shoot taken later during the same trip, she had blood on her arm and taped fingers on her right hand.
On another occasion, Obumseli sustained a fresh facial injury. The incident was witnessed by a mutual friend, who revealed that he "could’ve easily done damage if he wanted to, but he never fought back. He always would just take the abuse from her, and literally the video shows everything."
Miami Model Clenney's Computer Hacking Charges Dropped Amid Privilege Violation
Obumseli's family is pursuing lawsuits against the building manager of the luxury condo where the couple resided and the security firm allegedly stationed outside their apartment while the stabbing occurred. Clenney is facing a second-degree murder charge for her boyfriend's death.
