LOS ANGELES — A significant distinction emerged between the closing arguments at rapper A$AP Rocky’s trial. On one hand, prosecutors asserted that the hip-hop artist discharged two rounds from a handgun aimed at a former associate. Conversely, the defense team claimed that he fired blanks from a non-functional weapon.
A$AP Rocky, a Grammy-nominated musician and fashion influencer, is also recognized as the long-term partner of pop sensation Rihanna, who made a notable appearance in the courtroom during the final arguments. For the first time, she attended the proceedings with their two young sons, who were dressed in suits and were heard cooing during the prosecutor’s statement.
“There’s one crucial question that you need to answer,” stated Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec to the jurors in Los Angeles. He emphasized, “Was it a real gun or a fake gun?” and noted that this was the only matter of contention in the trial.
The closing statements are expected to extend into Friday, following which jurors will begin deliberating on two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a shooting incident in 2021. If convicted on both counts, A$AP Rocky could face a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison.
The testimony phase of the trial concluded on Tuesday when A$AP Rocky informed the judge through his attorneys that he would not testify.
The prosecution’s case heavily relies on the testimony of A$AP Relli, the individual Rocky allegedly shot at. Relli, known legally as Terell Ephron, developed a friendship with Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, during their high school years in New York as they were both part of a creative collective known as the A$AP Mob. Their relationship persisted as Rocky achieved worldwide acclaim with two chart-topping albums released in 2012 and 2013. However, their friendship soured by November 6, 2021, culminating in a confrontation.
The two men met outside a hotel in Hollywood, where a physical confrontation ensued. Moments later, Rocky allegedly fired shots, with Relli asserting that one grazed his knuckles. The incidents were partially recorded on surveillance footage, although the clarity of the videos makes interpretation difficult.
A$AP Twelvyy, another member of their collective present during the incident, testified that Relli instigated the conflict and claimed Rocky fired warning shots to deter Relli from attacking someone else. Twelvyy noted that Rocky had been carrying a starter pistol, which he maintained was known to be a non-lethal weapon among those involved. Furthermore, Rocky’s tour manager corroborated Twelvyy’s account regarding the fake gun.
Prosecutors contended that the notion of a prop firearm was a far-fetched fabrication orchestrated by Rocky’s entourage. Przelomiec specifically challenged Twelvyy’s credibility, suggesting to the jurors that he appeared to be delivering rehearsed responses, implying he may have been coached.
No firearm was recovered during the investigation, and after police received a report of the shooting, they found no physical evidence of the incident. However, two days later, Relli presented two shell casings to police, claiming to have collected them from the scene.
In their closing remarks, the defense will argue that the available video evidence and text messages are unreliable, as well as questioning Relli’s credibility. Relli previously initiated legal action related to the incident, and Rocky’s defense will depict him as a jealous former friend seeking financial gain from Rocky’s fame. Relli, during his testimony, asserted that discussions captured in recorded phone calls were fabricated.
In contrast, the prosecution maintained that Relli is entitled to compensation following a legitimate offense against him, underscoring that his communications throughout the situation consistently portray the events without suggesting any fabrication or knowledge of a prop firearm.
Jurors were instructed that if they find Rocky had a legitimate belief that he or those accompanying him were under immediate threat of harm and reacted with reasonable force, they could acquit him even if they were skeptical of the prop gun narrative.
