The trial of rapper, actor, and designer A$AP Rocky (real name: Rakim Mayers) is officially underway in Los Angeles. Mayers faces two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, stemming from a 2021 incident in Hollywood involving his former friend and A$AP Mob member, A$AP Relli (real name: Terell Ephron). The case has already garnered intense public and media attention, not least because of Mayers’s high-profile relationship with Rihanna, with whom he shares two children.
Here’s everything we know so far about the trial.
The Allegations Against A$AP Rocky
Ephron testified that the alleged shooting occurred in November 2021 after a falling out between the two. The two men, who were once high school friends and A$AP Mob collaborators, met outside the W Hotel in Hollywood to discuss their issues. Ephron claims that Mayers arrived with two other men and, during the heated exchange, pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at him.
According to Ephron, the first shot grazed his hand, leaving a finger “skinned raw.” He further alleged that Mayers fired three or four more shots, which he avoided by using one of Mayers’s associates as a shield. Ephron says he returned to the scene an hour later, found two bullet casings, and sent Mayers a video of them with the message: “U try killing me.”
Mayers allegedly responded by denying the incident and calling Ephron a “weirdo,” advising him to “call the police if I shot at u.” Ephron reported the incident to authorities two days later.
Mayers was arrested in April 2022 at Los Angeles International Airport, following a trip to Barbados with Rihanna.
Mayers’s Defense
Mayers has pleaded not guilty to both charges. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, argues that the allegations are fabricated and part of a ploy to extract money from the rapper. Ephron filed a civil lawsuit against Mayers in 2022, which Tacopina suggests was motivated by financial gain.
At the trial, Tacopina is expected to present witnesses who will testify that the firearm in question was a “starter pistol” incapable of firing live ammunition. The defense may also argue that security footage of the incident supports Mayers’s claims.
As of now, it’s unclear if Mayers will take the stand. Tacopina has stated that his client is “articulate and intelligent” and believes his testimony could benefit the case, but a final decision will depend on the trial’s progression.
Potential Penalties
If convicted on both felony charges, Mayers faces up to 24 years in state prison.
Trial Details
Length: The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks.
Streaming: The judge has allowed cameras in the courtroom for the duration of the trial, ensuring public access to proceedings.
Will Rihanna Attend?
Rihanna’s potential attendance remains uncertain. In a previous hearing, Judge Arnold acknowledged her role as the mother of Mayers’s children and said she is “welcome to be here whenever she wants.” However, Tacopina stated that no decision had been made regarding her presence.
What’s Next?
As the trial continues, jury selection and opening statements will shed more light on the prosecution and defense strategies. The case represents a pivotal moment for Mayers, whose legal troubles have hung over him and his family for over a year.
Fans and legal observers alike will be closely following the proceedings to see how this high-stakes case unfolds.
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