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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$AP Rocky has been detained in Sweden since his arrest in early July and faces up to two years in prison if convicted.
As the trial continues, all eyes are on the courtroom as both sides present their arguments and evidence. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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A$AP Rocky, rapper, trial, court, witness, testimony, cross-examination, assault, Sweden, legal proceedings, celebrity case
#Rapper #AAP #Rockys #accuser #returns #stand #crossexaminationRapper 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$AP Rocky’s accuser takes the stand again for cross-examination regarding shooting incident
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#Rapper #AAP #Rockys #accuser #returns #stand #crossexamination #shooting
A$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.
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A$AP Rocky, former friend, shooting, rapper, prison, testimony, trial, legal case, allegations, hip hop, music industry, celebrity news, court proceedings, defense, prosecution, legal system
#AAP #Rockys #friend #testifies #alleged #shooting #rapper #faces #decades #prisonRihanna attends the trial of her partner, rapper A$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$AP Rocky as He Faces Trial for 2021 Shooting IncidentPop superstar Rihanna made headlines today as she attended the trial of her partner, rapper A$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.
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#Rihanna #attends #trial #partner #rapper #AAP #Rocky #accused #shooting
Rapper YFN Lucci released from Fulton County Jail
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – Rapper YFN Lucci has been released from the Fulton County Jail a little more than a year after pleading guilty to a charge as part of a Fulton County investigation into gang activity.
A spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Corrections has confirmed with FOX 5 that the rapper, whose given name is Rayshawn Bennett, is “no longer in GDC custody.”
YFN Lucci released from prison
The backstory:
The rapper was arrested in 2021 as part of a wide-ranging indictment of 12 people officials claim are associated with subgroups of the Bloods gang.
In the 105-count indictment, which stemmed from a six-month investigation, investigators say Lucci and others committed a wide variety of crimes to protect and enhance the gang’s reputation and to gain and maintain control of territory. Bennett has been charged with murder after police said he was the driver in a gang-related drive-by shooting that killed a man.
In January 2024, Bennett pleaded guilty to one count of violation of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped the remaining 12 of 13 counts.
YFN Lucci (Georgia Department of Corrections)
As part of the plea deal, Bennett was sentenced to 20 years with 10 in prison and credit for time served.
The state agreed not to object to Bennett’s attempts to receive parole.
What we don’t know:
Details about the conditions of Bennett’s release have not been shared by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.
The Source: Information for this story came from a statement by the Georgia Department of Corrections. Additional information came from previous FOX 5 reporting.
Atlanta-based rapper YFN Lucci has been released from Fulton County Jail after posting bond. The 29-year-old artist, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, was arrested earlier this month on multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, and participation in criminal street gang activity.YFN Lucci’s legal team successfully argued for his release on bond, and he is now out of jail awaiting his upcoming trial. The rapper maintains his innocence and has vowed to fight the charges against him.
Fans of YFN Lucci have been showing their support for him on social media, with many expressing relief that he is now out of jail. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold, but for now, the rapper is back home and focusing on his music career.
Stay tuned for updates on YFN Lucci’s case and his future in the music industry. #FreeYFNLucci
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YFN Lucci, Fulton County Jail, Rapper, Release, Hip Hop, Atlanta, Georgia, Legal, Arrest, Music Industry, Prison, Freedom, News, Celebrity
#Rapper #YFN #Lucci #released #Fulton #County #JailHow long has YFN Lucci been in jail? Rapper to be reportedly released from prison in a day
In January 2024, American rapper and singer YFN Lucci, aka Rayshawn Bennett, pleaded guilty to violating Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. As a result, he was sentenced to ten years behind bars and ten more on probation. He has been in jail since the time he surrendered in 2021. Therefore, the rapper has been in prison for about four years now.
On January 13, 2025, former TMZ correspondent Loren Lorosa shared an update on social media claiming that Lucci was getting prepared to be released from prison this month. According to XXL, the rapper will be freed on Friday, January 31, 2025.
The tweet by XXL revealed that his prison time has been counted since 2021. The rapper reportedly was eligible for parole in May 2024.
After the confirmation by XXL, Loren again took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and revealed that she had reached out to YFN Lucci’s attorney Drew Findling. She confirmed that the rapper was going to be released on the last day of this month. Her tweet read:
“A source close to the rapper tells me, Lucci will be released ANY DAY NOW. His teams literally checking their phones daily for the call.”
The tweet also read that there will be a few conditions that the rapper had to abide by, during his release. Loren further stated that the “conditions aren’t too crazy.” She additionally said that the conditions were the same ones as were put forward when the plea deal was agreed upon.
A condition of his plea deal, as confirmed by Findling, was that YFN Lucci would not cooperate in any other cases.
Why was YFN Lucci arrested and what were the charges against him?
As mentioned before, YFN Lucci turned himself in in 2021, when murder charges were filed against him. This was in connection to a fatal shooting that killed 28-year-old James Adams and injured another man. The prosecutors then argued that the rapper was the driver during the incident. They, however, also clarified that he wasn’t the one to pull the trigger.
The rapper was then charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, racketeering, and participation in gang activity.
Last year, he pleaded guilty to one count under Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. In return for the deal, the prosecutors dropped 12 out of the 13 charges against the rapper.
According to a January 23, 2024 article by CNN, prosecutors claimed that Lucci had an association with The Bloods street gang. Prosecutors also argued that the part of the gang that Lucci allegedly belonged to, got into a rift with YSL.
As per the indictment, YFN was related to The Bloods and was also involved in several criminal activities over the years. In a September 2024 report by Diario AS, the investigation and case related to Lucci were a part of the efforts made by the Fulton County District Attorney, to deal with gang-related issues in Atlanta.
Edited by Niharika Dabral
YFN Lucci, the popular Atlanta rapper, has been in jail since January 12, 2021, after turning himself in on charges related to a fatal shooting. However, reports have surfaced that he is set to be released from prison in just one day. Fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the music scene and are hopeful that he will be able to put this chapter behind him. Stay tuned for updates on YFN Lucci’s release.
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YFN Lucci jail time, YFN Lucci prison release, YFN Lucci legal troubles, YFN Lucci incarceration update, YFN Lucci latest news, YFN Lucci jail sentence, YFN Lucci legal case, YFN Lucci prison release date, YFN Lucci criminal charges
#long #YFN #Lucci #jail #Rapper #reportedly #released #prison #dayRapper YFN Lucci released from GA prison – WSB-TV Channel 2
MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — Rapper YFN Lucci has been released one year after he was sentenced to prison.
YFN Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act in Jan. 2024. He was sentenced to 20 years with 10 to serve.
The Georgia Department of Corrections confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that the rapper was released Friday morning.
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Channel 2′s Michael Seiden first told you last summer about a letter Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis sent to State Board of Pardons and Paroles that supported his early release.
“The District Attorney of Fulton County did the unorthodox,” attorney Drew Findling told Seiden back in July. “That letter from the district attorney is a powerful punch and is really at the heart of the letter and supporting documents and the memorandum that we have shared with the parole board.”
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Breaking News: Rapper YFN Lucci released from GA prisonPopular rapper YFN Lucci has been released from a Georgia prison after serving time for his involvement in a shooting incident. The news was confirmed by WSB-TV Channel 2, who reported that the rapper was released earlier today.
YFN Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Lamar Bennett, was arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that took place in Atlanta in December 2020. He was charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, participation in criminal street gang activity, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
After spending several months behind bars, YFN Lucci is now a free man. Fans of the rapper have been eagerly awaiting his release and are excited to see what he has in store for the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on YFN Lucci’s release and any new music or projects he may have in the works.
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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.
Tags:
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 #gunWhen did Lil Yachty and Mariah the Scientist date? Rapper reflects on their relationship in interview with Shannon Sharpe
Lil Yachty recently opened up on his previous relationship with Mariah the Scientist while speaking on Shannon Sharpe’s podcast Club Shay Shay on January 29. Notably, Mariah the Scientist said on Caresha Please last year that they began dating during their college years and first met each other in high school.
During his latest interview on Club Shay Shay, Lil said that he has a lot of love and respect for her and added:
“I was a sh*t person to her. She was really great. So great, so I get it. She was a great person though, man.”
Referring to Mariah the Scientist’s interview about their relationship, he additionally mentioned:
“That’s the first time she ever spoke on us, ever, publicly. I honestly think she was pretty respectful. She didn’t sh*t on me, you know? I know what you’re talking about, but I brought it upon myself. She ain’t tell no lies.”
Mariah is currently in a relationship with Young Thug and the duo reportedly began dating in 2021, as stated by Capital Xtra. The pair were seen together on different occasions, including an NBA game and the dating rumors went viral specifically after they were featured in the music video of Mariah’s single Walked In.
Mariah the Scientist confirmed last year that she had dated Lil Yachty
As mentioned, the 27-year-old singer and songwriter appeared in a conversation on Caresha Please in October 2024. She stated that she and Lil Yachty began dating when she entered college and described herself a “broke college student” at the time.
“I made him two different songs and I put them on a iPod, I gifted it to him. I signed the back, it was real cute.”
Mariah revealed how Lil reacted to her action at the time, saying that he was not willing to listen to the songs. While Lil said in his new interview that he was not a good person to Mariah at the time when they were dating, he said that he does not recall if he ever apologized to Mariah about it. He claimed that he does not remember for how long they were together and added:
“Our relationship is such a long span, you know? Since high school, so it’s long and blurry. YOLO, bro. Shout out to her.”
The reports of Mariah the Scientist and Lil Yachty’s romance emerged in 2023 when a social media user reshared a picture of the former on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that she joined a school to become an anesthesiologist and dropped out because of Lil.
According to Hip Hop DX, Mariah had received a biology scholarship at St. John’s University and after pursuing the same for a brief period, she dropped out to establish herself in the music industry.
While the tweet went viral, Lil Yachty replied with a post, questioning why everyone was trying to link him with Mariah. He further stated:
“I been [quiet] for so long but plz stop making up his weird a*s false narrative. & me and Mariah wasn’t dating at the time…… again!!!! Only time ima say this. Leave me out of it!”
Lil Yachty’s latest interview is trending on all platforms and Mariah the Scientist is yet to share a response to everything he said during the conversation.
Edited by Prem Deshpande
Lil Yachty and Mariah the Scientist were rumored to have dated back in 2019, but the exact timeline of their relationship has never been confirmed. In a recent interview with Shannon Sharpe, Lil Yachty opened up about his past relationship with Mariah the Scientist, revealing that they had a strong connection but ultimately decided to go their separate ways.During the interview, Lil Yachty reflected on the highs and lows of their relationship, admitting that they both had a lot of growing up to do at the time. He shared that while they may not be together now, he has a lot of respect for Mariah and wishes her nothing but the best in her career and personal life.
Despite their breakup, Lil Yachty expressed gratitude for the time they spent together and the lessons he learned from their relationship. He also hinted at the possibility of collaborating with Mariah the Scientist on music in the future, showing that there are no hard feelings between them.
Overall, Lil Yachty’s interview with Shannon Sharpe shed light on his past relationship with Mariah the Scientist and how it has influenced his music and personal growth. Fans of both artists can look forward to seeing what the future holds for them both, both individually and potentially together in the studio.
Tags:
Lil Yachty, Mariah the Scientist, dating, relationship, interview, Shannon Sharpe, rapper, reflection, celebrity couple
#Lil #Yachty #Mariah #Scientist #date #Rapper #reflects #relationship #interview #Shannon #Sharpe‘I can fit in that car’: Detroit rapper sues after Lyft driver says she won’t fit in his vehicle, refuses ride
Detroit rapper ‘Dank Demoss’ denied Lyft ride due to her size
A Detroit rapper is going viral for something other than her music. Fans know her as ‘Dank Demoss,’ and they’re fuming after a Lyft driver allegedly denied her a ride because of her size.
DETROIT (FOX 2) – A Lyft driver denied a Detroit rapper a ride because of her size – and now she’s suing.
Dajua Blanding, known on stage as Dank Demoss, requested a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party earlier this month. However, when the driver arrived, he saw Blanding and told her he couldn’t give her a ride because of her weight. Blanding was recording the encounter.
The backstory:
At first, the driver told Blanding she wouldn’t fit in his sedan.
“I can fit in this car,” she can be heard saying, to which he responded, “Believe me, you can’t.”
The driver then told Blanding his tires couldn’t handle the weight, apologized, and mentioned ordering an Uber XL – a larger vehicle. He added that he would refund the ride so she wouldn’t be charged.
Blanding says she could have fit.
“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” she told FOX 2. “I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”
Blanding has retained attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to sue for discrimination.
What they’re saying:
“I knew that it was illegal, and I knew that it was wrong,” Marko said.
He said weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan. Marko said that denying someone a ride based on their weight would be the same as denying someone because of their race or religion – at least under the law.
Lyft drivers can turn down passengers for perceived security threats, but Marko said they cannot deny a ride based on protected characteristics.
The other side:
Lyft released a statement:
“Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
What’s next:
The rideshare company has been served with the lawsuit.
The Source: FOX 2 interviewed Dajua Blanding and attorney Jonathan Marko for this story.
Detroit rapper, MC Rhyme Queen, is taking legal action against Lyft after a driver refused to give her a ride, claiming she wouldn’t fit in his vehicle. The incident occurred when Rhyme Queen, who is known for her fierce lyrics and confident attitude, requested a ride to a studio session.Upon arrival, the Lyft driver allegedly looked at Rhyme Queen and told her she wouldn’t be able to fit in his car due to her size. Despite Rhyme Queen’s protests and insistence that she could indeed fit in the vehicle, the driver refused to give her a ride.
Feeling discriminated against and humiliated, Rhyme Queen is now suing Lyft for discrimination and emotional distress. She believes that no one should be denied a ride based on their appearance or size, and she is determined to fight for justice and equality.
In a statement, Rhyme Queen said, “I may be a big girl, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fit in a car. I deserve the same respect and treatment as any other passenger, and I won’t stand for this kind of discrimination. I will continue to speak out against injustice and fight for my rights.”
Lyft has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but Rhyme Queen’s fans and supporters are rallying behind her, offering their solidarity and encouragement. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
Tags:
- Detroit rapper
- Lyft driver
- Lawsuit
- Discrimination
- Ride refusal
- Car size
- Lawsuit against Lyft
- Detroit rapper sues
- Vehicle accommodation
- Passenger rights
#fit #car #Detroit #rapper #sues #Lyft #driver #wont #fit #vehicle #refuses #ride
