He says she beat him up, she says he poisoned her. Yep, it's just another day in Liza Minnelli's divorce proceedings.
Minnelli's divorce from music producer David Gest had already exhibited the legally required quota of farcical drama, but Minnelli raised the bar yesterday when she accused Gest of poisoning her.The claim would seem to be an attempt to counter Gest's allegation that the 60-year-old had beaten him so badly that he was left in "virtually constant, unrelenting pain". Gest, aware that the signing of a pre-nuptial agreement renders him ineligible for a percentage of Minnelli's previously held fortune, is suing Minnelli for $10 million for the alleged beatings.
Minnelli told the court that she had been "afraid for her life" during her 16 month marriage to Gest. According to Gest's lawyer, Minnelli's representation will argue that she would have been justified in her actions (of beating Gest) if she was afraid for her life.
Minnelli married Gest in March 2002 in an all-star ceremony, which featured Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Mia Farrow in the wedding party. They split ways in July 2003, with Gest making his claim for civil damages three months later.
