Opening statements in the trial of A$AP Rocky began on Friday, following three days of jury selection that concluded with a panel of seven women and five men.
The 36-year-old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, faces two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Prosecutors allege he fired a gun at his former friend Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, whose testimony forms the crux of their case.
Rocky appeared in court on Friday wearing a gray suit and dark glasses, which he removed once proceedings began. Supporters in his section included his mother and sister, but notably absent was Rihanna, his longtime partner and mother of their two young sons. According to Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, Rihanna is unlikely to attend the trial, despite her name being a frequent topic during jury selection as many prospective jurors identified themselves as fans.
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Before the trial officially began, tensions flared over a last-minute ballistics report introduced by the prosecution, AP reported. The defense argued for a delay, with Tacopina asserting, “There’s no way we can proceed with this case.” However, the judge denied the request, offering the defense an extra day to secure their own expert if needed.
Rocky has taken a significant gamble by rejecting a plea deal that would have included six months in jail, opting instead to go to trial. If convicted, he faces up to 24 years in prison.
The defense plans to discredit Ephron, portraying him as financially motivated. Ephron has already filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky, seeking damages for the alleged shooting on November 6, 2021. Tacopina claims, “He’s the witness that this case will rise and fall on. Whether he’s credible remains to be seen.” He also described Ephron as “jealous” and driven by “money, money, money.”
Once part of a close-knit collective called A$AP (Always Strive and Prosper) during high school, Rocky and Relli’s friendship unraveled as Rocky’s career took off. The alleged incident occurred near Hollywood and Vine, where Ephron claims Rocky fired at him, grazing his knuckles.
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The defense contends the firearm captured on security footage was a starter pistol used as a prop and that police found no shell casings or gun at the scene during their investigation. Ephron reportedly brought 9 mm shell casings to the police two days later, which the defense plans to scrutinize, particularly as no fingerprints were recovered from the casings.
Surveillance video and police testimony are expected to play a central role in the prosecution’s case. At a preliminary hearing in 2023, prosecutors presented still images from the video, including one of a hooded man holding what appears to be a gun and another showing his face but no weapon. Investigators claim the man is Rocky.
Rocky’s defense may also call witnesses to support their assertion that the firearm was non-lethal and emphasize the lack of physical evidence tying him to a real weapon.
Whether Rocky himself will testify remains undecided, though Tacopina has said the rapper is open to taking the stand.
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Outside the courtroom, Rocky’s career continues to flourish—he is slated as a celebrity chair of the upcoming Met Gala and has a major role in an upcoming Spike Lee film alongside Denzel Washington. However, a conviction could dramatically upend his life and career.
