Tag: AAP

  • Kanye West Jets Back to L.A., Crashes at A$AP Rocky’s House Amid Trial


    Kanye West
    Back In L.A.!!!
    Crashes at A$AP Rocky’s House Amid Trial

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    In a shocking turn of events, Kanye West has jetted back to Los Angeles and taken refuge at A$AP Rocky’s house amidst his ongoing trial. The rapper, who has been embroiled in legal troubles in recent months, was spotted arriving at Rocky’s lavish mansion in the Hollywood Hills earlier this week.

    Sources close to the situation revealed that Kanye sought shelter at A$AP Rocky’s home to escape the media frenzy surrounding his trial and to seek solace from his close friend. The two artists have been longtime collaborators and have a strong bond that dates back several years.

    As Kanye’s trial continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this unexpected development will impact the outcome of the case. Fans and onlookers alike are eagerly awaiting further updates on Kanye’s legal situation and his stay at A$AP Rocky’s house.

    Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

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    2. Kanye West news
    3. Kanye West L.A.
    4. Kanye West trial
    5. A$AP Rocky
    6. A$AP Rocky’s house
    7. celebrity news
    8. celebrity gossip
    9. Los Angeles
    10. celebrity trials

    #Kanye #West #Jets #L.A #Crashes #AAP #Rockys #House #Trial

  • Kanye West stops traffic in shiny all-chrome Mercedes-Maybach before heading to A$AP Rocky’s house


    Kanye West was driving in style on Friday when he took his all-chrome Mercedes-Maybach for a spin in Los Angeles — but it appears to have been a major headache for other drivers stuck behind him.

    The 47-year-old rapper was pictured driving around the city in the shimmering silver luxury sedan — which he was seen with late last year after his ex-wife Kim Kardashian had previously driven one of the silvery vehicles — before he drove over to his friend A$AP Rocky‘s home, according to TMZ.

    Kanye appeared to be showing his support for his fellow rapper who is currently in the midst of a high-profile assault trial in LA, where his love Rihanna joined him in court.

    However, on his drive to Rocky’s home, he and his bodyguards appear to have created a traffic jam for other drives to allow him to drive unimpeded.

    Photos tracking Kanye’s drive show West’s bodyguards apparently stopping their SUV’s to block two lanes of Sunset Boulevard.

    The bodyguards kept cars from passing for well over a minute as the disgraced rapper drove on without anyone following him. 

    Kanye West was driving in style on Friday when he took his all-chrome Mercedes-Maybach for a spin in Los Angeles — but it appears to have been a major headache for other drivers stuck behind him

    Kanye West was driving in style on Friday when he took his all-chrome Mercedes-Maybach for a spin in Los Angeles — but it appears to have been a major headache for other drivers stuck behind him

    The rapper, 47, was pictured driving around the city in the shimmering silver luxury sedan before he drove over to his friend A$AP Rocky 's home, according to TMZ, but his bodyguard were seen stopping traffic behind him, causing a traffic jam; pictured with A$AP Nast

    The rapper, 47, was pictured driving around the city in the shimmering silver luxury sedan before he drove over to his friend A$AP Rocky ‘s home, according to TMZ, but his bodyguard were seen stopping traffic behind him, causing a traffic jam; pictured with A$AP Nast

    Driver’s couldn’t even get around the bodyguards’ vehicles, as they stopped next to each other at a section of the iconic road that featured double yellow lines separating the directions of traffic, as well as bollards designed to prevent vehicles from attempting to cross over. 

    Drivers who were close enough to the start of the unnecessary jam to see how it started were reportedly upset and frustrated to see private vehicles blocking them for no clear reason.

    Kanye appeared to spend much of the evening at A$AP Rocky’s home.

    The younger rapper is on trial for two felony counts of assault with a firearm for allegedly shooting his former friend A$AP Relli in 2021.

    Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his partner Rihanna, with whom he shares two young children, has been supporting him at the courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles. 

    Prior to heading to Rocky’s home, Kanye had been seen driving around LA with his manager, John Monopoly, and the two even visited a studio in West Hollywood, suggesting that the hitmaker may be working on new music.

    His day in LA comes just after he and his wife Bianca Censori arrived in the US after an extended stay in Japan.

    The two were spotted at Tokyo International Airport on Thursday, shortly before flying home.

    Photos tracking Kanye's drive show West's bodyguards apparently stopping their SUV's to block two lanes of Sunset Boulevard

    Photos tracking Kanye’s drive show West’s bodyguards apparently stopping their SUV’s to block two lanes of Sunset Boulevard

    The bodyguards kept cars from passing for well over a minute as the disgraced rapper drove on without anyone following him

    The bodyguards kept cars from passing for well over a minute as the disgraced rapper drove on without anyone following him

    Kanye headed to A$AP Rocky's house and spent much of the evening there

    Kanye headed to A$AP Rocky’s house and spent much of the evening there

    The younger rapper is on trial for two felony counts of assault with a firearm for allegedly shooting his former friend A$AP Relli in 2021; seen January 29 in LA

    The younger rapper is on trial for two felony counts of assault with a firearm for allegedly shooting his former friend A$AP Relli in 2021; seen January 29 in LA

    Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his partner Rihanna , with whom he shares two young children, has been supporting him at the courthouse in Downtown LA; seen Friday

    Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his partner Rihanna , with whom he shares two young children, has been supporting him at the courthouse in Downtown LA; seen Friday

    Kanye’s time in Tokyo marked an extended period away from his family.

    He shares four children with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian —  North, 11; Saint, eight; Chicago, seven; and Psalm, five — but he had previously not been seen with his children since September of last year.

    However, earlier this month he and Bianca were seen spending time with his kids at a 7-Eleven in the Tokyo.

    However, his daughter North wasn’t pictured with the group, and it’s unclear if she had joined him in Japan. 

    Despite the two being almost inseparable, Bianca appeared to sit out Kanye’s trek around LA. 

    While catching up with his pals, Kanye met up with A$AP Rocky’s cousin, fellow rapper and A$AP mob member A$AP Nast (real name: Tariq Devega).

    Nast posted photos of himself and the Yeezus rapper hanging out on Instagram, though it wasn’t clear if they saw each other at Rocky’s house. 

    Kanye was seen in the same outfit he wore around LA, a puffy white-and-gray jacket with red text over the chest, along with a white hoodie, a white graphic T-shirt, white jeans and black waxed leather boots.

    While catching up with his pals, Kanye met up with A$AP Rocky's cousin, fellow rapper and A$AP mob member A$AP Nast. Nast posted photos of himself and the Yeezus rapper hanging out on Instagram

     While catching up with his pals, Kanye met up with A$AP Rocky’s cousin, fellow rapper and A$AP mob member A$AP Nast. Nast posted photos of himself and the Yeezus rapper hanging out on Instagram

    Kanye was seen in the same outfit he wore around LA, a puffy white-and-gray jacket with red text over the chest, along with a white hoodie, a white graphic T-shirt, white jeans and black waxed leather boots

    Kanye was seen in the same outfit he wore around LA, a puffy white-and-gray jacket with red text over the chest, along with a white hoodie, a white graphic T-shirt, white jeans and black waxed leather boots

    Kanye's jewelry included a diamond-encrusted eagle holding machine or submachine guns in its talons, with a shield reading 'Diplomats' in front

    Kanye’s jewelry included a diamond-encrusted eagle holding machine or submachine guns in its talons, with a shield reading ‘Diplomats’ in front

    The classically styled boots were a surprising choice, as the Flashing Lights rapper has primarily favored large rain boots and chunky designs made of synthetic materials in recent years.

    He had lately displayed a particularly disheveled look with longer hair and a bushy beard, but he looked more clean cut with a buzzed hairdo and a closely trimmed beard.

    ‘i guess the money should of changed him,’ A$AP Nast captioned photos of himself and Kanye posing. ‘i guess of should of forgot where i came from.’

    One photo featured Kanye snarling to show off his silvery fixed prosthodontics as he and Nast flashed their chains.

    Kanye’s jewelry included a diamond-encrusted eagle holding machine or submachine guns in its talons, with a shield reading ‘Diplomats’ in front, while Nast displayed a more reserved ‘N’ covered in tiny jewels.



    Kanye West causes a stir as he stops traffic in his all-chrome Mercedes-Maybach on his way to A$AP Rocky’s house. The flashy car turned heads as it gleamed in the sunlight, with Kanye making a grand entrance in true superstar fashion. Fans and onlookers couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of the luxurious vehicle and the man behind the wheel. It’s just another day in the life of Kanye West, where even a simple drive becomes a spectacle. #KanyeWest #MercedesMaybach #ASAPRocky #LuxuryCars #CelebritySightings

    Tags:

    Kanye West, shiny all-chrome Mercedes-Maybach, A$AP Rocky, traffic-stopping moment, celebrity cars, luxury vehicles, hip hop artists, celebrity hangouts, chrome car trend, Kanye West news

    #Kanye #West #stops #traffic #shiny #allchrome #MercedesMaybach #heading #AAP #Rockys #house

  • Rapper A$AP Rocky’s accuser returns to the stand for cross-examination


    A man who alleges A$AP Rocky fired a handgun at him in 2021 returns to the courthouse Friday for more cross-examination after a difficult day on the stand.

    The defense is expected to continue challenging the man, known as A$AP Relli, on the actual moment of the alleged shooting on a Hollywood street in 2021.

    At the end of his testimony Thursday, he said that his story may have changed over the past three years, but his fading memory doesn’t change what fundamentally happened.

    A$AP Relli returns to the courthouse Friday for more cross-examination after a difficult day on the stand during A$AP Rocky’s trial. FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

    “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later,” the man, who goes by A$AP Relli, said at the Los Angeles trial of Rocky, his former friend. “It’s been three years. If he was innocent he would be home a long time ago.”

    Rihanna, the superstar singer, and Rocky’s partner, watched from the audience for the second straight day.

    After the jury left for the day, Superior Court Mark Arnold said that he hadn’t heard the latter part of the statement, and would tell them to disregard it when they returned for the rest of the cross-examination Friday.

    Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, testified that Rocky pointed a gun at his stomach and head, but it wasn’t actually touching him, and that Rocky said he was going to kill him.

    Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina confronted him with a prosecutor’s interview in 2022 when he said the gun was pressed into his stomach, and he hadn’t remembered what Rocky said.

    “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later,” Relli, said. “It’s been three years. If he was innocent he would be home a long time ago.” FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

    Relli broke courtroom decorum to shout at Rocky, “You did this to yourself” earlier in the day. The judge admonished him. Relli responded, “He was staring at me!”

    Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, sat at the defense table in a black suit and did not audibly respond. He is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun for allegedly firing at Relli, his friend since high school. The charges, with a conviction, could lead to up to 25 years in prison.

    Rihanna, who has two toddler sons with Rocky, caused a stir with her first appearance at his trial on Wednesday. She returned to the same spot in Rocky’s section on Thursday, sitting between his mother and sister. Surreptitiously, she entered the courtroom before most of the audience.

    She wore a white top and gold earrings and calmly followed the proceedings.

    Tacopina’s questioning broached the initial confrontation between Rocky and Relli, but when the trial ended for the day, had still not reached the actual moment when the shots were allegedly fired.

    He spent much of it examining Relli’s attitude toward Rocky leading up to the shooting.

    Relli was frequently frustrated and evasive, demanding to know why he was being asked certain questions and answers, “I don’t recall” before others were even finished.

    He denied that he had been upset with Rocky before the alleged shooting, as the defense confronted him with text messages and previous testimony that suggested otherwise.

    “You trying to make me look like I got some kind of animosity toward this dude, I don’t,” he said. “I never did. To this day, I don’t.”

    Rocky and Rihanna, both 36, have two sons together: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers.

    The singer and the rapper, who are both fashion moguls, first became close when he provided a verse when they collaborated on one of her songs in 2012, and became a couple in 2020.

    He is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun for allegedly firing at Relli, his friend since high school.

    A$AP Rocky is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun for allegedly firing at Relli, his friend since high school. FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
    Rocky faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

    Raised in Harlem, Rocky’s rap songs became a phenomenon in New York in 2011. He had his mainstream breakthrough when his first studio album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013.

    He’s set to have his biggest career year as a multimedia star. This Sunday, he’s nominated for a Grammy Award at the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena just two miles from his trial.

    He’s also set to act opposite Denzel Washington in a film directed by Spike Lee and to co-chair the Met Gala in May.



    Today in court, the accuser in the case against rapper A$AP Rocky returned to the stand for cross-examination. The accuser, whose identity has been kept confidential, has accused A$AP Rocky and his entourage of assaulting him during a street altercation in Sweden.

    During cross-examination, A$AP Rocky’s defense team questioned the accuser about inconsistencies in his testimony and attempted to poke holes in his story. The accuser maintained that he was the victim of an unprovoked attack and that A$AP Rocky was the aggressor.

    The trial has garnered international attention, with many fans and supporters of A$AP Rocky rallying behind the rapper and calling for his release. A$AP Rocky has been detained in Sweden since his arrest in early July and faces up to two years in prison if convicted.

    As the trial continues, all eyes are on the courtroom as both sides present their arguments and evidence. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    A$AP Rocky, rapper, trial, court, witness, testimony, cross-examination, assault, Sweden, legal proceedings, celebrity case

    #Rapper #AAP #Rockys #accuser #returns #stand #crossexamination

  • Rapper A$AP Rocky’s accuser returns to the stand for cross-examination about shooting


    LOS ANGELES — A man who alleges A$AP Rocky fired a handgun at him in 2021 returns to the courthouse Friday for more cross-examination after a difficult day on the stand.

    The defense is expected to continue challenging the man, known as A$AP Relli, on the actual moment of the alleged shooting on a Hollywood street in 2021.

    At the end of his testimony Thursday, he said that his story may have changed over the past three years, but his fading memory doesn’t change what fundamentally happened.

    “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later,” the man, who goes by A$AP Relli, said at the Los Angeles trial of Rocky, his former friend. “It’s been three years. If he was innocent he would be home a long time ago.”

    Rihanna, the superstar singer and Rocky’s partner, watched from the audience for the second straight day.

    After the jury left for the day, Superior Court Mark Arnold said that he hadn’t heard the latter part of the statement, and would tell them to disregard it when they returned for the rest of the cross-examination Friday.

    Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, testified that Rocky pointed a gun at his stomach and head, but it wasn’t actually touching him, and that Rocky said he was going to kill him. Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina confronted him with a prosecutor’s interview in 2022 when he said the gun was pressed into his stomach, and he hadn’t remembered what Rocky said.

    Relli broke courtroom decorum to shout at Rocky, “You did this to yourself” earlier in the day. The judge admonished him. Relli responded, “He was staring at me!”

    Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, sat at the defense table in a black suit and did not audibly respond. He is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun for allegedly firing at Relli, his friend since high school. The charges, with a conviction, could lead to up to 25 years in prison.

    Rihanna, who has two toddler sons with Rocky, caused a stir with her first appearance at his trial Wednesday. She returned to the same spot in Rocky’s section on Thursday, sitting between his mother and sister. Surreptitiously, she entered the courtroom before most of the audience. She wore a white top and gold earrings, and calmly followed the proceedings.

    Tacopina’s questioning broached the initial confrontation between Rocky and Relli, but when the trial ended for the day, had still not reached the actual moment when the shots were allegedly fired.

    He spent much of it examining Relli’s attitude toward Rocky leading up to the shooting. Relli was frequently frustrated and evasive, demanding to know why he was being asked certain questions and answering, “I don’t recall” before others were even finished.

    He denied that he had been upset with the Rocky before the alleged shooting, as the defense confronted him with text messages and previous testimony that suggested otherwise.

    “You trying to make me look like I got some kind of animosity toward this dude, I don’t,” he said. “I never did. To this day, I don’t.”

    Rocky and Rihanna, both 36, have two sons together: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers.

    The singer and the rapper, who are both fashion moguls, first became close when he provided a verse when the collaborated on one of her songs in 2012, and became a couple in 2020.

    Raised in Harlem, Rocky’s rap songs became a phenomenon in New York in 2011. He had his mainstream breakthrough when his first studio album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013.

    He’s set to have his biggest career year as a multimedia star. This Sunday, he’s nominated for a Grammy Award at the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena just two miles from his trial.

    He’s also set to act opposite Denzel Washington in a film directed by Spike Lee, and to co-chair the Met Gala in May.



    Rapper A$AP Rocky’s accuser takes the stand again for cross-examination regarding shooting incident

    Tags:

    1. A$AP Rocky
    2. shooting incident
    3. cross-examination
    4. legal proceedings
    5. assault case
    6. witness testimony
    7. Rapper A$AP Rocky
    8. court trial
    9. self-defense argument
    10. celebrity news

    #Rapper #AAP #Rockys #accuser #returns #stand #crossexamination #shooting

  • A$AP Rocky’s former friend testifies about alleged shooting as rapper faces decades in prison


    Terrell Ephron, who is also known by his moniker A$AP Relli, took the witness stand on Tuesday in the assault trial of rapper A$AP Rocky and accused his former friend of firing a gun at him during a confrontation between the two in Hollywood in 2021.

    Prosecutors questioned Ephron about the sequence of events after he testified about an argument during which the rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, allegedly brandished a gun.

    Asked why he would follow someone he knew had a gun, Ephron said that since it was a busy street in Hollywood, he believed Mayers definitely wouldn’t shoot him. Mayers and Ephron were childhood friends and both part of the Harlem-based rap collective A$AP Mob.

    “[Rocky] turned around and then it was, like, BOOM!” Ephron said, recounting the alleged shooting. “The whole thing was like a movie, he kind of like pointed down and he shot the first shot.”

    Ephron said that his hand was “grazed” by a bullet and felt “hot.” He said that he then grabbed one of their friends and stood behind him for cover and then Mayers allegedly fired again before leaving the scene.

    Prosecutors concluded their questioning of Ephron on Wednesday, but he is expected back on the witness stand on Thursday to face cross-examination.

    During opening arguments last week Mayers’ lead attorney Joe Tacopina told the members of the jury that they will hear from multiple witnesses during the trial who will testify that the gun seen in the surveillance video is “absolutely nothing more than a prop gun” that is often used in movies and music videos. Asked ahead of the trial if Mayers is expected to take the stand, Tacopina did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

    Rakim Mayers, a.k.a. A$AP Rocky, listens to opening remarks by prosecuting attorney at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, on Jan. 24, 2025. Genaro Molina/Pool via REUTERS

    Genaro Molina, Pool via Reuters

    Mayers – a Grammy-nominated hip-hop star and partner to pop star Rihanna – was charged on Aug. 15, 2022, with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm for allegedly firing a handgun twice in the direction of the alleged victim during a confrontation. He pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the New York rapper could face up to 24 years in prison.

    Rihanna, who shares two young sons with Mayers, made her first appearance during the trial when she attended the proceedings on Wednesday.

    Ahead of jury selection last week, Mayers was offered a plea deal that included a 180-day jail term but he declined to accept it, prosecutors and his lead attorney confirmed to ABC News.

    “He was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is actually innocent,” Tacopina told ABC News.

    A$AP Rocky walks into the courthouse for his upcoming trial alongside his attorney Joe Tacopina at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, on Jan. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles.

    Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    A jury of seven women and five men was selected on Thursday and testimony began on Friday after prosecutors and Mayers’ defense team delivered their opening arguments.

    Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec delivered the prosecution’s opening statements, arguing before the jury that a series of videos show that the rapper fired a gun at Ephron.

    Prosecutors also presented the jury with a series of maps, identifying photos, a 911 call from the night of the incident and several videos captured by surveillance cameras in the area.

    “This is not a complicated case. The evidence will show the events in this case were captured on surveillance video,” Przelomiec said.

    In this Dec. 4, 2024, file photo, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attend an event in New York.

    Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images, FILE

    In the defense’s opening statements, Tacopina claimed that the rapper is “innocent” and that Ephron is seeking financial gain.

    “This is about one man’s lies, jealousy, and greed,” Tacopina told the jury, casting the case as “all about money.”

    Ephron came forward as the victim of the alleged assault and filed a civil lawsuit on Aug. 10, 2022, accusing Mayers of assault, battery, inflicting emotional distress and negligence. He claimed that he was “stuck by bullet projectile/fragments” during the alleged assault.

    Court records show that Mayers denied all wrongdoing in his response to the complaint.

    Ephron also filed a defamation lawsuit on Sept. 19, 2023, naming Mayers and his legal team, including Tacopina. Court documents show that in their answer to the complaint, Mayers and his attorneys denied “each and every allegation” outlined in the suit.

    According to court records, both cases are pending.

    ABC News reached out to Tacopina and Ephron’s attorney Jamal Tooson for further comment.



    A$AP Rocky’s former friend took the stand today to testify about the alleged shooting that could land the rapper behind bars for decades. The friend, who has chosen to remain anonymous, detailed the events that led up to the incident and painted a chilling picture of the violence that unfolded that night.

    According to the friend’s testimony, A$AP Rocky and his entourage were involved in a heated altercation with a group of individuals outside a nightclub. Tensions quickly escalated, and shots were fired, resulting in multiple injuries and one fatality.

    The friend claimed that A$AP Rocky was seen brandishing a weapon during the altercation and may have fired the fatal shot. While the rapper has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges, the testimony from his former friend paints a damning picture of his involvement in the incident.

    As A$AP Rocky’s trial continues, the stakes are high for the rapper, who could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    A$AP Rocky, former friend, shooting, rapper, prison, testimony, trial, legal case, allegations, hip hop, music industry, celebrity news, court proceedings, defense, prosecution, legal system

    #AAP #Rockys #friend #testifies #alleged #shooting #rapper #faces #decades #prison

  • Rihanna attends the trial of her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused in a 2021 shooting


    LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a stretch of questioning crucial to the defense of A$AP Rocky, his lawyer on Friday challenged the account of his accuser, who said he suffered a hand injury when the hip-hop performer fired a gun at him in 2021.

    Superstar singer Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and the mother of their two children, watched from the audience as the man who goes by A$AP Relli, a former friend of Rocky, underwent a second day of cross-examination that left him visibly frustrated and at times angry. Rihanna slipped into court for a third day about 30 minutes into the testimony and sat next to Rocky’s mother.

    Relli had testified under prosecution questioning that his hand felt hot when Rocky fired at him on a Hollywood street and his hand was grazed. A photo was shown of scrapes that had torn the skin on his knuckles.

    He did not seek medical attention until two days later in New York.

    “You waited to fly all the way across country before seeking medical attention?” defense attorney Joe Tacopina asked.

    “I had my hand wrapped that night,” Relli said, then acknowledged he had.

    He said that after the incident, “I didn’t trust LA. I didn’t trust nobody.”

    Through their opening statement and the cross-examination, Rocky’s attorneys have suggested Relli only sought medical attention because the lawyer in a separate civil case where he’s seeking money from the rapper, and a police detective, told him he should.

    Tacopina also challenged him about the short time he spent at the hospital.

    “That’s one hour and 36 minutes for a gunshot, yeah?” the lawyer said.

    “It was two days later,” Relli replied.

    Anticipating the defense tactic, the prosecution told jurors during their opening statement that for the charges in the case — two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm — it doesn’t matter whether Relli was injured.

    Guilty verdicts on both counts could lead to a maximum of 24 years in prison for Rocky.

    That verdict could be a major turning point in the life of the rapper, who this weekend is nominated for his third Grammy Award at a ceremony at Crypto.com Arena just two miles from the trial.

    Rocky’s attorneys are arguing, in a revelation made just before the trial began, that the gun he fired was a starter pistol that carried only blanks that he had just as a prop for security. They allege Relli knew this.

    Relli testified under prosecution questioning that he had not known Rocky to carry a gun.

    When Tacopina returned to the question, Relli hedged.

    “I don’t really chill with him every day, I don’t know,” he said. “From the time I chill with him, I don’t know him carrying guns.”

    Tacopina continued, “Well one thing you know, is for sure he doesn’t carry a prop gun.”

    “Who carries a prop gun?” Relli answered. “Who’s going to come to a situation and carry a prop gun?”

    After the jury was dismissed for lunch, a vicious argument broke out between Tacopina and Deputy District Attorney John Lewin over a racy photo of Relli’s girlfriend that he showed Relli to identify her.

    Lewin argued it was an attempt to inflame the witness, and that the defense’s entire case failed to address the actual incident, including “this prop gun garbage!”

    “Oh?! Oh!?” Tacopina shouted back. “We’ll see what the jury says at the end!”

    Tacopina then called Relli a perjurer, and said that the prosecutors were abetting him.

    As it got even louder and more personal, the judge, who seemed disgusted, walked out.

    He had previously instructed the men, who have butted heads often, only to talk to each other on the record. In this case they were, though the cameras had been turned off.

    Rocky and Rihanna, both 36, have two sons together: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers.





    Rihanna Stands by A$AP Rocky as He Faces Trial for 2021 Shooting Incident

    Pop superstar Rihanna made headlines today as she attended the trial of her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused in a 2021 shooting incident. The couple has been dating for several years and Rihanna has been a vocal supporter of A$AP Rocky throughout this challenging time.

    The trial, which has garnered widespread media attention, centers around an alleged altercation that took place last year at a nightclub in New York City. A$AP Rocky is facing charges of assault and possession of a firearm in connection with the incident.

    Despite the serious nature of the charges, Rihanna has stood by A$AP Rocky, showing her unwavering support by attending the trial alongside him. The couple arrived at the courthouse hand in hand, with Rihanna looking stylish and composed as she faced the cameras.

    As the trial proceeds, all eyes are on Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, as fans and onlookers eagerly await the outcome of this high-profile case. Rihanna’s presence at the trial is a powerful statement of solidarity and love, demonstrating her commitment to standing by her partner through thick and thin.

    Tags:

    1. Rihanna
    2. A$AP Rocky
    3. Trial
    4. Partner
    5. Accusation
    6. Shooting
    7. 2021
    8. Celebrity news
    9. Legal proceedings
    10. Court appearance

    #Rihanna #attends #trial #partner #rapper #AAP #Rocky #accused #shooting

  • Rihanna appears again at A$AP Rocky’s gun assault trial as ex-friend testifies | A$AP Rocky


    The most important testimony at the trial of the rapper A$AP Rocky got second billing for a second day as superstar Rihanna sat quietly in the audience.

    Rihanna, A$AP Rocky’s partner, appeared at his Los Angeles trial again on Thursday, sitting between his sister and mother.

    Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, is facing trial on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, accused by a former friend, A$AP Relli, of firing a gun at him in 2021.

    A$AP Relli, who was born Terell Ephron, faced a fierce cross-examination on Thursday, bristling under questioning from Rocky’s lawyer and at one point shouting at the defendant. The judge briefly called a recess so the prosecution and Relli’s lawyer could instruct him how to respond properly in court.

    Before that could happen, Relli shouted, “You did this to yourself!” to Rocky, prompting an admonishment from the judge.

    “Do not talk to the defendant!” the judge, Mark Arnold, shouted at him.

    Relli grew frustrated by the questions asked by Rocky’s attorney. The defense showed screenshots of Relli’s Instagram posts in an attempt to contradict his earlier testimony that he had a positive relationship with Rocky before the shooting, but that he’d been so shunned for coming forward that his business was ruined and that he had no social media presence.

    Relli is suing Rocky’s defense attorney Joe Tacopina for libel in civil court for his public statements, and suing Rocky over the incident. The defense has sought to highlight the lawsuits in order to cast him as someone seeking money from a false story and has said his account of what happened has changed over time.

    Relli argued that although details of his story may have shifted over the past three years, his fading memory doesn’t change what fundamentally happened.

    “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later,” Relli said on Thursday.

    In testimony in previous days, Relli has described the night in November 2021 when he and Rocky, their relationship straining, had a confrontation and scuffled on a Hollywood street, and Rocky pointed a gun at him before walking away.

    Relli testified that he was shouting at Rocky as he walked after him, then Rocky pulled the gun again and held it in the air.

    “He turned around and then it was like BOOM!” Relli told the jury. “The whole thing was like a movie, he kind of like pointed down and he shot the first shot.”

    He said he felt a burning on his hand where a bullet grazed it.

    Relli testified Rocky fired another shot that he didn’t see because he had hidden behind a mutual friend.

    He said, “I felt my hand hot,” and later added: “I was hit. Or I was grazed. I didn’t have a hole or nothing.”

    Rocky’s lawyer says the shots he fired were not even from a real gun – they were blanks from a starter pistol that he carried as a prop. The lawyer said Relli knew this, and that was why he was so fearless walking after him.

    “Oh it was a real gun,” Relli testified under prosecution questioning, saying he knew because of his scraped hand.

    Since the shooting and his decision to go to police and testify, he said he had received death threats, been shunned as a snitch and saw the modest music management career he built fall apart.

    “It’s been a living hell,” Relli said.

    About an hour after the shooting, Relli returned to the scene and said he photographed and recovered two shell casings. Earlier, while responding to a report of a shooting, police did not find any.

    He sent a text to Rocky that was shown in court saying: “U try killing me.”

    Rocky denied it in his reply: “Bro wtf is u talkin bout why u tell ppl I shot at u.”

    He sent Rocky photos of the shell casings and his grazed hand.

    Rocky said he was making stuff up and speaking “all type of nonsense” and was trying to “extort” him.

    The judge in the case ruled on Thursday morning that Relli’s social media posts capturing what seems like a luxury lifestyle after the incident would be fair game for questioning.



    Rihanna appears again at A$AP Rocky’s gun assault trial as ex-friend testifies

    Pop sensation Rihanna made another appearance at A$AP Rocky’s ongoing gun assault trial, as a former friend of the rapper took the stand to testify against him. The ex-friend, who has not been named, alleged that A$AP Rocky had threatened him with a gun during a heated altercation last year.

    This latest development in the trial has only added to the drama surrounding the case, which has garnered widespread media attention since A$AP Rocky’s arrest. Rihanna, who has been a vocal supporter of the rapper throughout the trial, has been spotted attending court hearings and showing her solidarity with A$AP Rocky.

    The singer’s presence at the trial has only served to heighten the public interest in the case, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of the trial. As the proceedings continue, all eyes will be on Rihanna and A$AP Rocky as they navigate this challenging legal battle together.

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  • A$AP Rocky’s accuser says despite his inconsistent story, the truth is the rapper fired a gun at him


    LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man who alleges A$AP Rocky fired a handgun at him in 2021 said Thursday that his story may have changed over the past three years, but his fading memory doesn’t change what fundamentally happened.

    “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later,” the man, who goes by A$AP Relli, said at the Los Angeles trial of Rocky, his former friend. “It’s been three years. If he was innocent he would be home a long time ago.”

    Rihanna, the superstar singer and Rocky’s partner, watched from the audience for the second straight day.

    After the jury left for the day, Superior Court Mark Arnold said that he hadn’t heard the latter part of the statement, and would tell them to disregard it when they returned for the rest of the cross-examination Friday.

    Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, testified that when the confrontation began on a Hollywood street, Rocky pointed a gun at his stomach and head, but it wasn’t actually touching him, and that Rocky said he was going to kill him. Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina confronted him with a prosecutor’s interview in 2022 when he said the gun was pressed into his stomach, and he hadn’t remembered what Rocky said.

    Relli broke courtroom decorum to shout at Rocky, “You did this to yourself” earlier in the day. The judge admonished him. Relli responded, “He was staring at me!”

    Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, sat at the defense table in a black suit and did not audibly respond. He is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun for allegedly firing at Relli, his friend since high school. The charges, with a conviction, could lead to up to 25 years in prison.

    Rihanna, who has two toddler sons with Rocky, caused a stir with her first appearance at his trial Wednesday. She returned to the same spot in Rocky’s section on Thursday, sitting between his mother and sister. Surreptitiously, she entered the courtroom before most of the audience. She wore a white top and gold earrings, and calmly followed the proceedings.

    Tacopina’s questioning broached the initial confrontation between Rocky and Relli, but when the trial ended for the day, had still not reached the actual moment when the shots were allegedly fired.

    He spent much of it examining Relli’s attitude toward Rocky leading up to the shooting. Relli was frequently frustrated and evasive, demanding to know why he was being asked certain questions and answering, “I don’t recall” before others were even finished.

    He denied that he had been upset with the Rocky before the alleged shooting, as the defense confronted him with text messages and previous testimony that suggested otherwise.

    “You trying to make me look like I got some kind of animosity toward this dude, I don’t,” he said. “I never did. To this day, I don’t.”

    Tacopina showed Relli text messages from about two months before the incident, when he swore at Rocky and called him “fake-ass,” after Rocky had allegedly failed to support one of his projects.

    In another text message from a few weeks before the confrontation, Relli said he was going to beat Rocky up if he didn’t pay for a deceased mutual friend’s body to be returned to New York as promised. Relli said he learned later that Rocky had in fact paid.

    And Tacopina showed texts from just before the Nov. 6, 2021, incident, when Relli texted Rocky: “you got all these fake animosity towards me lol beat me up” and “I wish you would.”

    Relli responded from the stand, “That doesn’t mean ‘bring a gun.’”

    He said he didn’t know why he had deleted that text exchange from his phone before handing it over to police.

    He testified under prosecution questioning earlier that Rocky had pulled a gun on him and fired it, grazing his hand. Rocky’s lawyers say the shots he fired were from a starter pistol that shoots only blanks that he carries as a prop.

    Rocky and Rihanna, both 36, have two sons together: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers.

    The singer and the rapper, who are both fashion moguls, first became close when he provided a verse when the collaborated on one of her songs in 2012, and became a couple in 2020.

    Raised in Harlem, Rocky’s rap songs became a phenomenon on the streets of New York in 2011. He had his mainstream breakthrough when his first studio album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013.

    He’s set to have his biggest career year as a multimedia star. This Sunday, he’s nominated for a Grammy Award at the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena just two miles from his trial.

    He’s also set to act opposite Denzel Washington in a film directed by Spike Lee, and to co-chair the Met Gala in May.





    In a shocking turn of events, A$AP Rocky’s accuser has come forward to claim that despite his inconsistent story, the truth remains that the rapper did in fact fire a gun at him. The accuser, who has been at the center of the highly publicized legal battle, has maintained that A$AP Rocky’s actions were intentional and not in self-defense.

    This latest revelation comes amidst a flurry of conflicting accounts and witness testimonies, leaving many to question the true events that transpired that fateful night. While A$AP Rocky has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, the accuser’s claims have added a new layer of complexity to the case.

    As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this new information will impact the outcome of the trial. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

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    A$AP Rocky, rapper, gun violence, assault, legal case, self-defense, witness testimony, inconsistent story, A$AP Rocky’s accuser, truth, shooting incident

    #AAP #Rockys #accuser #inconsistent #story #truth #rapper #fired #gun

  • Rihanna Makes Rare Court Appearance to Support A$AP Rocky amid Gun Trial


    Rihanna is showing support for her partner, A$AP Rocky, amid his trial in Los Angeles.

    On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the singer-songwriter was present for the rapper’s ongoing trial, in which he’s accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at his former friend A$AP Relli during an altercation in November 2021.

    Dressed in all black, Rihanna, 36, sat in the gallery at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, between Rocky’s mother Renee Black and his sister Erika B. Mayers.

    This is the first time that Rihanna has expressed public support for Rocky (whose real name is Rakim Mayers) since the legal case began.

    Her court appearances comes just hours after she and Rocky, also 36, stepped out for a date night in Los Angeles.

    Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.

    Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty


    On Jan. 21, Rocky turned down a plea deal from prosecutors and opted for a jury trial instead of pleading guilty to one of two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He faces up to 24 years in prison if found guilty.

    The plea deal included serving 180 days in jail and receiving a seven-year suspended sentence with three years on probation.

    During opening statements, Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina claimed that the rapper, 36, was carrying a “prop gun” for the purpose of scaring off potential threats. Tacopina also claimed that Rocky is licensed to carry a firearm in California.

    “For Relli, it was never about justice… it’s about a man seeking a profit from a fabricated narrative,” Tacopina said. “Rocky has nothing to hide here.”

    Meanwhile, the prosecution team began opening statements by recounting the events leading up to the altercation. He also claimed that Relli showed up the night of the altercation thinking they would just “argue” and this would “repair their relationship.”

    “This is not a complicated case,” Deputy District Attorney Paul B. Przelomiec said in his opening statement. “The defense will turn in an alternative explanation to what happened that night… we ask that you do not leave your common sense at the door.”

    Relli filed a civil lawsuit for assault, battery and emotional distress against Rocky on Aug. 10, 2022. The “Praise the Lord” rapper has denied all claims.

    Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on April 20, 2022 and was released on bail the same day, per the Los Angeles Times. At the time, he was returning from Barbados, where he was vacationing with Rihanna. This was only a few weeks before the birth of their first son RZA. Rocky paid a $550,000 bond for release, per the outlet.

    Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.

    Cindy Ord/WireImage


    Following his arraignment in January, Tacopina told reporters that was “cool as a cucumber” ahead of trial and eager to get the trial “over with so he can start enjoying his family.” 

    Rocky and Rihanna have been together since 2020 and share two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, 17 months. They were last seen stepping out for a date night at Carbone during Art Basel weekend in Miami in December.

    In am August Billboard cover story, Rocky opened up about his love of Rihanna.

    “I don’t think there’s a more perfect person because when the schedules are hectic, she’s very understanding of that,” he said.

    Rocky added that they spend the “most time together” when their schedules are “freed up,” explaining, “It’s all understanding and compatibility.”



    Rihanna Makes Rare Court Appearance to Support A$AP Rocky amid Gun Trial

    Pop superstar Rihanna made a surprise appearance in court today to show her support for rapper A$AP Rocky, who is currently facing trial on gun charges. The singer, known for hits like “Umbrella” and “Diamonds,” arrived at the courthouse in a sleek black suit and sunglasses, looking every bit the fashion icon she is.

    Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have been friends for years, and the singer has been vocal in her support for him since his arrest. She even started a hashtag campaign on social media, #FreeRocky, calling for his release.

    A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was arrested in July after a street altercation in Stockholm, Sweden. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintains that he acted in self-defense.

    Rihanna’s presence in court today was a rare sight, as she typically keeps a low profile when it comes to legal matters. Her support for A$AP Rocky is a testament to the strong bond between the two artists and their shared commitment to justice.

    Fans and onlookers gathered outside the courthouse to catch a glimpse of Rihanna, who waved and smiled at the crowd before heading inside to support her friend. The trial is ongoing, but with Rihanna by his side, A$AP Rocky surely has a powerful ally in his corner.

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  • A$AP Rocky assault trial jury hears opening arguments in alleged 2021 shooting case


    Opening arguments began on Friday in the trial of A$AP Rocky. The Grammy-nominated rapper and partner to pop star Rihanna faces two felony charges related to a 2021 incident in Hollywood where he is accused of allegedly shooting at a former friend and music collaborator.

    The hip-hop star, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was charged on Aug. 15, 2022 with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm for allegedly firing a handgun twice in the direction of the alleged victim during a confrontation.

    Mayers pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the New York rapper could face up to 24 years in prison.

    Rapper A$AP Rocky arrives for the 38th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street in New York on December 4, 2024.

    Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images

    Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec delivered the prosecution’s opening statements, arguing before the jury that a series of videos show that the rapper fired a gun at Terell Ephron.

    Mayers and Ephron, who is also known by the moniker A$AP Relli, were childhood friends and both part of the Harlem-based rap collective A$AP Mob.

    “This is not a complicated case. The evidence will show the events in this case were captured on surveillance video,” Przelomiec said.

    Prosecutors also presented the jury with a series of maps, identifying photos, a 911 call from the night of the incident and several videos captured by surveillance cameras in the area.

    Przelomiec asked the jury to “not leave your common sense at the door” and “return the only just verdict there is.”

    In the defense’s opening statements, lead attorney Joe Tacopina claimed that Mayers is “innocent” and that Ephron is seeking financial gain.

    “This is about one man’s lies, jealousy, and greed,” Tacopina told the jury, casting the case as “all about money.”

    Asked if Ephron is expected to take the witness stand in this case, his attorney Jamal Tooson did not respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.

    Tacopina also told the jury that they will hear from multiple witnesses who will testify that the gun seen in the surveillance video is “absolutely nothing more than a prop gun” that is often used in movies and music videos.

    Ephron came forward as the victim of the alleged assault and filed a civil lawsuit on Aug. 10, 2022, accusing Mayers of assault, battery, inflicting emotional distress and negligence. He claimed that he was “stuck by bullet projectile/fragments” during the alleged assault.

    Court records show that Mayers denied all wrongdoing in his response to the complaint.

    Ephron also filed a defamation lawsuit on Sept. 19, 2023, naming Mayers and his legal team, including lead attorney Tacopina. Court documents show that in their answer to the complaint, Mayers and his attorneys denied “each and every allegation” outlined in the suit.

    According to court records, both cases are pending.

    Opening statements began after a jury of seven women and five men was selected on Thursday, after Mayers turned down a plea deal offered to him on Tuesday, prosecutors and Tacopina confirmed to ABC News.



    In a high-profile trial that has captured the attention of fans and legal experts alike, the jury in the assault case against rapper A$AP Rocky heard opening arguments today. The prosecution alleges that A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was involved in a 2021 shooting incident that left one man injured.

    According to the prosecution, A$AP Rocky and his entourage were involved in a physical altercation with the alleged victim, who was shot during the altercation. The defense, however, claims that A$AP Rocky was acting in self-defense and that he did not intend to harm anyone.

    As the trial gets underway, both sides are expected to present evidence and witness testimony to support their respective arguments. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for A$AP Rocky’s career and reputation, as well as for the broader conversation around self-defense and celebrity accountability.

    Stay tuned for updates as the trial progresses and the jury deliberates on this high-profile case.

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