A$AP Rocky may be the well-known figure at the upcoming trial, but it is A$AP Relli who will take center stage.

The hip-hop icon, whose birth name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, faces allegations of discharging a firearm at his former friend, Relli, also known as Terell Ephron. Prosecutors are relying heavily on Relli’s testimony as they build their case against Rocky.

The trial is set to commence with opening statements on Friday, following the selection of a jury comprising seven women and five men over several days. Rocky is facing two felony charges related to assault with a semiautomatic weapon.

In a bold move, he opted to reject a plea deal from the prosecution that suggested a six-month jail sentence, choosing instead to face a trial. If found guilty, he could receive a prison sentence of up to 24 years.

The defense team intends to portray Ephron as someone motivated by financial gain, highlighting that he has previously filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky for monetary compensation related to the incident.

Rocky’s lead attorney, Joe Tacopina, remarked during a recent pretrial hearing, “He’s the witness that this case will rise and fall on, for sure. Whether he’s a star is something that remains to be seen.”

Tacopina further suggested that jealousy played a significant role in the situation, claiming, “He became a hater… This is in large part about money, money, money.”

Once a tight-knit group in high school, Rocky and Relli were part of the A$AP collective, which stands for Always Strive and Prosper. Their relationship deteriorated, ultimately culminating in the alleged shooting incident on November 6, 2021, when Relli claims Rocky discharged a weapon, grazing his knuckles.

The defense is expected to present witnesses who will argue that the firearm observed in a security video was merely a starter pistol that Rocky carried for protective purposes.

They will likely point out that no shell casings were discovered by law enforcement at the Hollywood and Vine scene, despite the area being thoroughly searched. Additionally, police did not apprehend a weapon.

Two days following the alleged shooting, Relli approached the authorities and produced 9 mm shell casings he had collected, a detail that the defense aims to use to their advantage. Notably, no fingerprints were found on these casings.

The public interest in this case extends beyond Rocky; he shares his life with Rihanna, his partner and the mother of their two young sons.

Tacopina indicated that Rihanna is unlikely to appear in court, and her name might be avoided during the trial, although it was frequently mentioned in the jury selection process, as many candidates expressed their admiration for her.

Rocky is set to co-chair the prestigious Met Gala in May and has a significant role in an upcoming Spike Lee film featuring Denzel Washington. However, a conviction could drastically alter the trajectory of his life.

The plea arrangement that Rocky declined involved admitting guilt to one of the charges, which would result in a proposed sentence of 180 days in jail, a seven-year suspended sentence, and three years of probation.

Apart from Relli, the prosecution intends to call police officers who were involved in the case as witnesses.

Moreover, they will depend heavily on surveillance footage that captured relevant aspects of the incident. During a preliminary hearing earlier this year, prosecutors showcased images from the video, including one of a hooded figure holding what seemed to be a gun, as well as another image where the figure is visible without a weapon. A detective later confirmed that they had identified Rocky in the footage.

There is a possibility that Rocky himself will testify; his attorney has expressed that he is willing to take the stand, though they have yet to make a final decision. Legally, Rocky has the right to refrain from testifying.