Rihanna Attends A$AP Rocky’s Trial as Ex-Friend Testifies

Rihanna Attends A$AP Rocky’s Trial as Ex-Friend Testifies \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Rihanna made her first appearance at A$AP Rocky’s trial on Wednesday, attending a crucial testimony from the rapper’s former friend A$AP Relli, who alleges Rocky fired a gun at him in 2021. Relli testified in Los Angeles criminal court that Rocky fired two shots, one of which grazed his hand. Rocky’s defense claims the gun was a prop and that Relli’s accusations are an extortion attempt. If convicted, Rocky faces up to 24 years in prison, casting uncertainty over his Grammy nomination, movie roles, and major music events scheduled for 2024.

A$AP Rocky’s Trial: Quick Looks

• Rihanna in Court: Rihanna attended the trial, sitting between Rocky’s mother and sister, watching as key witness A$AP Relli took the stand.
• Shooting Allegations: Relli testified that Rocky fired two shots at him in Hollywood in 2021, one of which grazed his hand.
• Rocky’s Defense: His lawyer argues the shots came from a starter pistol with blanks, not a real firearm.
• Text Message Evidence: Relli texted Rocky “U try killing me” after the shooting, but Rocky denied it, calling the claims “nonsense”.
• Jury & Rihanna’s Influence: Prosecutors questioned jurors about whether Rihanna’s presence would impact their verdict.
• Trial Continues: The defense will cross-examine Relli in the next session, as Rocky faces a potential 24-year prison sentence.

Deep Look

Superstar Rihanna made her first public appearance at A$AP Rocky’s trial on Wednesday, attending a critical courtroom session where A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron) testified about the 2021 Hollywood shooting.

Sitting between Rocky’s mother and sister, Rihanna watched as Relli, Rocky’s former friend, described the moment the rapper allegedly fired a gun at him. Security escorted Rihanna into the downtown Los Angeles courthouse discreetly to avoid media attention and public crowds.

This high-profile trial has drawn significant attention, not only due to Rocky’s celebrity status and Rihanna’s presence, but also because of the serious legal consequences Rocky faces. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 24 years in prison—a verdict that would jeopardize his music career, upcoming Grammy nomination, and major entertainment projects.

Key Witness A$AP Relli’s Testimony: What He Told the Jury

The trial’s most crucial testimony so far came from A$AP Relli, who detailed his side of the 2021 altercation.

• Relli and Rocky were once close friends, part of the A$AP collective that originated in their Harlem high school days.
• Their friendship soured over the years, particularly as Rocky’s fame skyrocketed.
• Their relationship was already strained before the alleged shooting, and the tension escalated on the night of the incident.

Relli’s Version of the Shooting:

• He testified that he and Rocky got into an argument and scuffled near the W Hotel in Hollywood.
• As Rocky walked away, Relli said he shouted after him, still angry.
• Rocky then allegedly turned around, pulled a gun from his waistband, and held it in the air.
• “He turned around and then it was like BOOM!” Relli recalled to the jury.
• He described feeling heat on his hand after the first shot and later said, “I was hit. Or I was grazed. I didn’t have a hole or nothing.”

Relli said that after the first shot, he grabbed one of their mutual friends for cover, and though he did not witness the second shot being fired, he heard it before Rocky allegedly ran away from the scene.

The Defense’s Argument: Was It a Real Gun?

Rocky’s defense strongly denies the allegations, arguing that the weapon in question was not a real firearm.

Rocky’s Defense: Key Claims

• His attorney states that the shots fired were blanks from a starter pistol—a prop, not a lethal weapon.
• The defense argues that Relli knew it was not a real gun, which is why he continued following Rocky and shouting at him.
• They claim that Relli is using the case to extort Rocky, exploiting their former friendship for financial gain.

However, Relli insisted during testimony:

“Oh, it was a real gun.”

He rejected the claim that he wasn’t afraid because he knew the weapon was fake, saying he felt his hand scrape from the shot.

“I felt like because he put it away and we’re on a busy street in Hollywood, he’s definitely not gonna shoot it.”

Relli’s account has been met with skepticism from Rocky’s defense, but his testimony remains one of the most damaging pieces of evidence against the rapper.

Text Message Evidence: Rocky & Relli’s Exchange After the Shooting

Another key component of the case is text message evidence between Rocky and Relli after the incident.

• About an hour after the shooting, Relli returned to the scene, taking photographs of shell casings he found.
• He later sent a text to Rocky that read:“U try killing me.”
• Rocky quickly denied it, replying:“Bro wtf is u talkin bout why u tell ppl I shot at u.”
• Relli then sent photos of the shell casings and his scraped hand.
• Rocky responded by calling the accusations false, saying Relli was:“making stuff up” and talking “all type of nonsense”.

The exchange suggests that Relli confronted Rocky directly about the incident before going to authorities, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

Jury Selection & Rihanna’s Presence in Court

Before the trial, prosecutors were concerned about Rihanna’s influence on the jury.

• During jury selection, potential jurors were asked whether Rihanna’s connection to the case would impact their ability to remain unbiased.
• Nearly all jurors had heard of Rihanna—far more than those familiar with Rocky.
• Some even identified as fans, but all said they could remain impartial.

It’s unclear whether the jurors saw Rihanna in the courtroom or were aware of her presence while watching Relli’s testimony.

A$AP Rocky’s Career & Future in Jeopardy

The trial casts a shadow over what was set to be Rocky’s biggest career year.

Upcoming Major Events for A$AP Rocky:

• Grammy Awards (Feb. 4, 2024): Nominated for Best Music Video for “Tailor Swif”.
• Rolling Loud Headliner (March 2024): Booked as a headliner for the festival.
• Hollywood Film Role: Set to star opposite Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee-directed movie.
• Met Gala Co-Chair (May 2024): Scheduled to be one of the co-chairs of the world’s most prestigious fashion event.

How a Conviction Could Impact Rocky’s Career

• If convicted, Rocky faces up to 24 years in prison—effectively ending his music and film career.
• His endorsement deals and business ventures could also be affected.
• The trial’s outcome will determine whether he remains a global star or faces severe legal consequences.

What’s Next in the Trial?

The court session ended early on Wednesday due to scheduling conflicts, but the trial resumes Thursday, with the defense cross-examining Relli.

Key Questions Moving Forward:

1. Will the defense successfully challenge Relli’s testimony?
2. Will Rocky testify in his own defense?
3. Will additional evidence emerge about the authenticity of the gun?
4. Will Rihanna’s presence have an indirect impact on the case?

With A$AP Rocky’s legal fate and career hanging in the balance, the next phase of the trial could be pivotal in determining whether he walks free or faces one of the most severe celebrity convictions in recent history.

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