A$AP Rocky’s Trial Nears Verdict: Real Gun or Prop? \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As A$AP Rocky’s trial reaches its final stage, prosecutors argue that he fired a real gun at ex-friend A$AP Relli, while the defense insists it was a prop gun used for security. Rihanna, attending with their two young children, watched as both sides made their closing arguments. The prosecution claims witnesses lied to protect Rocky, while the defense paints Relli as a jealous opportunist. With no gun produced as evidence, jurors will decide if Rocky is guilty of felony assault—a verdict that could bring up to 24 years in prison.
A$AP Rocky’s Trial Nears Verdict: Quick Looks
- Prosecutors argue A$AP Rocky fired a real gun at former friend A$AP Relli in a 2021 Hollywood altercation.
- Rocky’s defense claims the gun was a movie prop that fired blanks and was used for security purposes.
- No gun was ever recovered, leading to conflicting testimonies and doubts on both sides.
- Rihanna attended the trial with their two young sons, RZA and Riot, creating an emotional courtroom moment.
- Jurors were ordered to disregard a comment about Rocky facing 24 years in prison, after his manager mentioned it in testimony.
- The defense accuses Relli of fabricating the case for financial gain, citing recorded calls where he allegedly discussed suing Rocky for millions.
- Prosecutors claim Rocky’s witnesses lied to protect him, dismissing their testimonies as coordinated and unreliable.
- The jury will begin deliberations Friday, with Rocky facing up to 24 years in prison if convicted.
Deep Look
The trial of A$AP Rocky is nearing its final chapter, with jurors set to deliberate on whether the rapper fired a real gun or a prop during a 2021 altercation with former friend A$AP Relli. The case, which has drawn national attention, hinges on conflicting testimonies, a missing weapon, and accusations of dishonesty from both sides.
As the prosecution delivered its closing arguments Thursday, Rihanna and the couple’s two young sons, RZA and Riot, made a surprise courtroom appearance, adding an emotional layer to an already high-profile trial. The children’s presence underscored the personal stakes for Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, as he faces the possibility of up to 24 years in prison if convicted on two counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
A Trial Defined by Contradictions and Missing Evidence
The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec, argued that the case boils down to one fundamental question: Was the gun real or fake? Przelomiec told jurors that Rocky was undeniably guilty, asserting that he fired a real weapon at Relli after their friendship soured, striking him in the hand.
The defense, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, painted Relli as a liar and opportunist, insisting that Rocky fired a harmless prop gun that only shot blanks, which had been used as a security measure for months. According to the defense, the entire case is built on fabricated claims by Relli, motivated by a personal vendetta and financial gain.
One of the most significant points of contention is the absence of the alleged weapon. More than three years after the incident, neither the prosecution nor the defense could produce the firearm in question. The prosecution contended that if the gun were truly a prop, Rocky’s team would have said so immediately instead of waiting until the trial to introduce that defense. The defense countered that the prosecution’s case is even weaker because there is no concrete proof that a real gun was used.
The Complex Relationship Between A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli
Rocky and Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, were once close friends and members of the A$AP Mob, a collective of creatives who rose to fame in the early 2010s. But by November 6, 2021, their relationship had deteriorated into hostility. That night, they crossed paths outside a Hollywood hotel, leading to a physical confrontation and the disputed gunfire.
Relli testified that Rocky fired a real gun, grazing his knuckles. The defense dismissed his claim as false, presenting witnesses who described the gun as a movie prop. Among those testifying for Rocky were A$AP Twelvyy, a fellow rapper, and Lou Levin, Rocky’s tour manager, both of whom insisted that everyone involved knew the gun was not real.
Despite their testimony, Przelomiec accused Rocky’s associates of coordinating their stories to protect him, claiming that their statements were rehearsed and inconsistent with logic. The prosecution urged jurors to focus on the fact that the defense’s claim about the gun being fake only emerged during trial, arguing that this was a desperate attempt to create reasonable doubt.
Financial Motives and Legal Strategies
The defense worked to discredit Relli by highlighting his financial motivations, pointing to text messages and recorded phone calls where he allegedly discussed taking legal action against Rocky for millions of dollars. Tacopina argued that these recordings prove Relli’s true intentions, calling him a jealous ex-friend who saw an opportunity to profit off the situation.
Relli, however, denied that the recordings were authentic, insisting that his testimony in court was the truth. The prosecution played long excerpts of those calls, countering that Relli’s statements in those recordings aligned with his testimony, reinforcing that he was indeed the victim of a real shooting.
The trial took a dramatic turn when Rocky’s tour manager, Lou Levin, blurted out in court that Rocky was facing 24 years in prison. Jurors are not supposed to consider sentencing when determining guilt, and the judge immediately ordered them to disregard Levin’s statement. But Przelomiec suggested that Levin’s comment was a calculated move to sway the jury’s emotions and make them think twice about convicting Rocky.
Rihanna’s Presence in Court and the Emotional Impact
As the trial neared its conclusion, Rihanna quietly entered the courtroom with their two young sons, creating a striking image in the midst of the high-stakes legal battle. The children, dressed in suits, cooed and played with toys while the prosecutor delivered his arguments.
At one point, Rocky was seen walking down the hallway carrying his youngest son, a rare personal moment in an otherwise intense courtroom setting. Rihanna returned to court after lunch without the children, allowing the focus to remain on the trial’s final moments.
The superstar’s presence was a reminder of what Rocky stands to lose if convicted. While his celebrity status has drawn attention to the case, the jury is instructed to base its decision solely on the evidence presented in court.
The Jury’s Decision and What Comes Next
With no gun recovered, conflicting testimony, and doubts cast on both sides, jurors now face a difficult decision.
If convicted, Rocky could face a lengthy prison sentence, but Tacopina maintains that the prosecution has failed to meet its burden of proof.
“They have not met their burden here,” Tacopina argued. “Not even close. Because they can’t.”
Now, the fate of one of hip-hop’s biggest stars lies in the hands of twelve jurors. Whether they convict or acquit, their decision will mark the end of one of the most high-profile celebrity trials in recent years.
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