LOS ANGELES — During the ongoing trial surrounding an incident from 2021, a former associate of rapper A$AP Rocky, known as A$AP Relli, testified on Monday that there was no indication from Rocky or anyone else that the gun involved might have been anything other than real. This statement counters the defense’s claim that Rocky had a starter pistol, which can only discharge blanks. Relli’s testimony was marked by tension, leading him to express his frustration openly in the courtroom, yelling, “You’re annoying, bro!” towards the primary defense attorney.
As the prosecution proceeded with its re-direct examination, they pressed back against the notion that Rocky intended to carry a non-lethal weapon for security purposes. Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec showed the jury text messages Relli sent to Rocky after the incident, including one where he expressed feeling threatened, saying, “U try killing me.” He questioned Relli on whether Rocky ever indicated through those texts that the gun wasn’t real, to which Relli firmly replied no. He also stated that the two mutual friends present at the incident had not been given any similar indication.
This testimony marks the first occasion the jury was made aware that the claim of a prop gun was raised only recently, despite the incident having occurred over three years ago and following multiple days of preliminary hearings in 2023. Notably absent from the courtroom on Monday was Rihanna, Rocky’s long-term partner and mother to their two young sons, who had attended the former days of the trial.
Rocky has entered a not guilty plea in response to two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, each carrying a potential sentence of up to 24 years in prison if he is convicted. Interestingly, just a day before this testimony, the rapper was in attendance at a Grammy Awards ceremony held a short distance away, where he was nominated but ultimately lost to Kendrick Lamar, a significant winner of that night.
Relli, called to the stand starting Wednesday, exhibited bouts of evasiveness and frustration while responding to questions from Rocky’s legal team. This tension peaked on Monday during the defense’s final questioning phase. Frustrated by the length of the process, he made a statement expressing his discomfort: “I’m not on trial. I’ve been here for five days, dealing with this man,” he said. He dismissed the judge’s admonitions against making such comments, further escalating the courtroom drama.
Last week, Relli had angrily claimed that recordings presented by the defense, which suggested he sought financial gain from Rocky, were fabricated. The defense maintains that Relli reported the altercation to the police solely to extract money as part of a civil suit he has filed against Rocky. On Monday, a witness for the defense named Wally Sajimi testified and played the disputed recordings, which featured a voice resembling Relli’s suggesting he would withdraw from the criminal proceedings once he received payment.
Sajimi, who is known for creating websites for artists and brands, indicated a closer relationship with Rocky compared to Relli, establishing his loyalty during his testimony. As evidence continues to unfold in this high-profile case, the jury is being presented with conflicting narratives that highlight the tension surrounding the incident and the subsequent legal battles.
