LOS ANGELES — A significant distinction is expected to emerge in the trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, as prosecutors are set to argue that the music artist discharged two rounds from a handgun toward a former associate, while the defense will assert that the shots were from a non-functional gun loaded with blanks.
By Thursday afternoon, jurors will likely start their deliberations on two felony assault counts linked to a shooting incident that took place in 2021. Should they find Rocky guilty on both counts, he faces the possibility of a sentence up to 24 years behind bars.
The acclaimed musician and fashion entrepreneur is also famously known as the long-term partner of global pop icon Rihanna, with whom he shares two young sons. Rihanna, who has appeared intermittently in court during the trial, may be present for the closing arguments; the couple was seen together leaving the courthouse last week.
The trial concluded testimony on Tuesday, with Rocky and his legal team notifying the judge of his decision not to testify. The prosecution’s argument hinges significantly on the reliability of A$AP Relli, the individual who claims Rocky fired at him. Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, initially struck up a friendship with Rocky during their high school years in New York as part of the A$AP Mob collective.
Although the duo maintained their friendship through Rocky’s rise to fame from his hit albums in the early 2010s, their relationship soured by November 6, 2021. The two reportedly met outside a hotel in Hollywood where a physical altercation ensued, culminating in Rocky allegedly firing shots during a subsequent confrontation. Relli contended that one of the bullets grazed his hand. Surveillance footage captured parts of the exchanges, though its clarity remains questionable.
A$AP Twelvyy, another associate from the A$AP Mob, testified that Relli had instigated the altercation, emphasizing that Rocky discharged the weapon to deter Relli from attacking another crew member. Twelvyy maintained that Rocky was armed with a starter pistol loaded with blanks—something that all present were aware of—and confirmed that Rocky had been in possession of it since a previous music video shoot. Rocky’s tour manager also corroborated this account. Notably, neither gun was recovered or introduced as evidence during the trial.
Authorities searching the vicinity following reports of gunfire discovered no physical evidence. However, two days later, Relli approached police with shell casings he claimed to have found after revisiting the scene.
In their closing arguments, the defense will argue that video and text evidence lacks credibility, asserting Relli’s motivations are grounded in his desire for financial gain following the incident. They are expected to depict him as a jealous former friend trying to exploit Rocky’s fame. Relli has indicated intentions to pursue monetary compensation through civil legal action, while recordings from a mutual acquaintance show Relli discussing this intent. Relli claimed during his testimony that these recordings were fabricated.
Conversely, the prosecution will contend that Relli deserves compensation, asserting that he suffered genuine harm. They argue that Relli’s communications surrounding the event maintain a cohesive narrative, failing to reference any prop weapon or notions of fabrication. Expect the prosecution to frame the starter pistol argument—used by the defense—as an implausible excuse fabricated by Rocky and his associates.
The courtroom has witnessed heated exchanges among legal teams, leading the presiding judge to threaten penalties due to the increasingly personal nature of their disputes. One particularly incendiary moment saw Deputy District Attorney John Lewin label the defense’s prop gun defense as “garbage.”
