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Tag: Shooting
DJ Hernandez sentenced to time served in shooting threats case
HARTFORD, Conn. — The brother of the late New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was sentenced Friday to 18 months of prison time already served for threatening to carry out a shooting at the University of Connecticut and to kill three people, including a judge, in 2023.
Dennis Hernandez, 38, who went by “DJ” while playing quarterback and wide receiver for UConn football in the mid-2000s, was suffering severe mental health problems at the time of the threats and has since received treatment and medication, according to his public defender, Josh Ewing.
U.S. District Judge Sarala Nagala in Hartford also sentenced Hernandez to three years of supervised release, during which he must continue mental health and substance abuse treatment, allow probation officials to monitor his electronic devices and stay away from UConn and other locations he threatened, the Connecticut U.S. attorney’s office said.
Hernandez, who apologized for his actions during brief comments in court, was expected to be released from custody Friday afternoon, The Hartford Courant reported. Federal Bureau of Prison records showed he was no longer in custody Friday evening.
A message left at a phone listed for Hernandez was not immediately returned.
State criminal charges in Connecticut and Florida in other cases — including allegations he threw a brick with a note critical of the media onto ESPN headquarters property in Bristol, Connecticut — are expected to be dismissed because of the federal case, Ewing said, adding that those incidents happened during the same mental health crisis.
Ewing did not immediately return phone and email messages after the sentencing. In court documents, he wrote that Hernandez was “horrified” at how his actions terrified others, is remorseful and committed to maintaining his mental health.
Hernandez pleaded guilty to a felony — transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure — in December.
Police said he drove to the UConn campus and to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he once served as quarterbacks coach, to “map the schools out” for a shooting in July 2023. Court filings said Hernandez was struggling financially, was frustrated at seeing other people get hired as football coaches and felt owed by UConn.
Also that month, prosecutors said Hernandez made multiple Facebook posts threatening to harm or kill three people who live in other states, including a state court judge.
His mother, Terri Hernandez, told police around the time of his 2023 arrest in Bristol that he had deteriorating mental health problems, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Dennis Hernandez was shocked with a Taser and taken into custody after he came out of his sister’s house with his arms raised, yelling “shoot me” and threatening to harm officers, police said.
Terri Hernandez and several other relatives and friends wrote letters to the judge supporting Dennis Hernandez asking that he be released from detention.
DJ Hernandez, the brother of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, has been sentenced to time served in a case involving shooting threats.DJ Hernandez was arrested in May after allegedly making threats to shoot someone during an argument in Connecticut. He was charged with reckless endangerment and breach of peace.
After spending several months in jail awaiting trial, DJ Hernandez appeared in court on Tuesday where he was sentenced to time served. The judge also ordered him to complete anger management classes and to stay away from the victim.
This case has garnered attention due to DJ Hernandez’s connection to his brother Aaron, who was convicted of murder in 2015 and ultimately took his own life in prison.
It remains to be seen how DJ Hernandez will move forward from this incident, but for now, he has been given a second chance with his sentence of time served.
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What Santos learned about shooting from watching Steph, Klay
What Santos learned about shooting from watching Steph, Klay originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As Gui Santos earns more minutes in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, the young Warriors forward finds himself sharing a court with Steph Curry more often than ever.
It’s an opportunity to play alongside the greatest shooter of all time, and Santos is taking advantage of every minute. And he soaked up everything he could when Curry’s fellow Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, was still on the team.
“I’m the guy that likes to watch,” Santos told reporters after Saturday’s practice. “So, I’ve always been watching how [Curry] shoots — the movement, the footwork and all the little details that you see. I’m a guy that likes to watch it, especially like last year, Klay was here, too. So there was another guy that I was always watching to see how he moves without the ball to get set, to shoot the ball, because the shot begins before you shoot the ball. How you set up your body before you get the ball.
“So with these guys, you can learn a lot.”
Santos, 22, was playing on a non-guaranteed contract until the Warriors chose to keep him on board and fully guarantee his deal at the Jan. 7 deadline. Up to that point of the 2024-25 NBA season, Santos had appeared in 11 NBA games for a total of 59 minutes.
He now has appeared in 24 games and played at least 19 minutes in eight of the Warriors’ last nine games. And last season with Thompson on the team, Santos spent plenty of time on court with the Splash Bros during his 23 games in the NBA.
And between the two sharpshooters, Santos noticed a key technique he tries to emulate.
“One thing that I see they do a lot is to keep the hands up after they shoot,” Santos said. “So, every time they shoot, they keep the hands up. Of course for Steph, it’s kind of different because he has way more different, way more hard shots than what I have. So he doesn’t have these every time, but every time that Steph has a wide-open shot, you can see he’s shooting, and he keeps the hand straight.”
Santos recently recorded a career-high 19 points in the Warriors’ 131-106 win over the Chicago Bulls on 7-of-10 shooting and 5 of 6 from 3-point range. While his shooting has slowed down in recent games, it’s clear Santos’ watchful eye is starting to pay off.
Growing up, Santos was always a fan of basketball. He loved watching games and studying the players’ moves, trying to learn as much as he could from the pros. One duo that always caught his attention was Steph Curry and Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors.Santos admired their incredible shooting skills and wanted to emulate them on the court. So, he dedicated countless hours to watching their games, analyzing their shooting techniques, and practicing their moves on the court.
From Steph, Santos learned the importance of precision and consistency in shooting. Steph’s incredible accuracy from beyond the arc showed Santos the value of proper form and repetition. He realized that by focusing on his technique and practicing consistently, he could improve his shooting percentage significantly.
From Klay, Santos learned the importance of confidence and composure in shooting. Klay’s ability to stay calm under pressure and knock down shots in clutch moments inspired Santos to work on his mental game. He learned that having the confidence to take and make tough shots is just as crucial as having the physical skills.
Overall, watching Steph and Klay has taught Santos valuable lessons about shooting that have helped him become a better player. By studying their techniques, practicing consistently, and staying confident in his abilities, Santos has seen a significant improvement in his shooting skills on the court. And he owes it all to the inspiration he found in two of the best shooters in the game.
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#Santos #learned #shooting #watching #Steph #KlayKarl-Anthony Towns’ thumb injury not going away despite improved shooting
Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t recovered from his thumb injury, but he is adjusting to life with it.
After hitting just 1-of-10 3-point shots in three games since returning from a bone chip and sprained right thumb, the Knicks big man was 2-for-4 from long range in Monday’s 143-106 win over Memphis at Madison Square Garden.
“Man, it’s been a struggle,” Towns said. “I looked bad. I’ve been worried myself.”
Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau reacts to Jimmy Butler saga after personal experience
His confidence didn’t waver.
Knicks completely flipped the script on their season-long narrative
“I’ve been good every day, regardless of what happens, having a shooter’s mindset, the next one’s in,” Towns said. “Just kept shooting the basketball and my teammates instill a bunch of confidence in me regardless of what’s happening. I just want to reward them for that kind of trust in me and I’m happy I hit some 3s to give ourselves more spacing on offense.”
Asked if the improved results were a product of his thumb feeling better, Towns said, “It’s not that. [I’m] just getting more comfortable [with it].”
He declined to elaborate on how the thumb was feeling, but he was effective Monday in scoring 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting overall.
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Towns suffered the injury against the Pistons on Jan. 13, and missed the next two games before returning against Atlanta on Jan. 20.
In that game, still bothered by the injury, Towns missed all but one of his 3-point attempts and then went on to miss all four 3-pointers in the two games leading up to Monday’s showdown against Ja Morant and the Grizzlies.
Karl-Anthony Towns looks to pass during the Knicks-Grizzlies game on Jan. 27, 2025. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Towns took his first 3-pointer just over two minutes into the game. He drained it to give the Knicks a very early lead that was never threatened.
Later in the first quarter, Towns attempted another 3-pointer and was clobbered by Memphis’ 7-foot-4 Zach Edey. He hit all three free throws.
Towns was good from long range again early in the third quarter, which helped spark a win-sealing 18-2 run, as the Knicks ran the Grizzlies off the floor in what turned into a mismatch in the second half.
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Karl-Anthony Towns’ thumb injury has been a lingering issue for the Minnesota Timberwolves star, but despite his improved shooting in recent games, the injury does not seem to be going away. Towns has been playing through the pain and has shown resilience on the court, but it is clear that the injury is still affecting his performance.Despite shooting better from the field and three-point range in recent games, Towns has still struggled with his ball-handling and post-up moves, which are areas where his injured thumb is likely having an impact. The injury has also affected his ability to grab rebounds and play defense at the level he is capable of.
It is concerning to see Towns continue to play through this injury, as further aggravation could lead to long-term issues. The Timberwolves should consider giving Towns some rest to allow his thumb to fully heal, rather than risking further injury by playing him in every game.
Towns’ determination and toughness are commendable, but his health should be the top priority. Hopefully, he can get the proper treatment and rest he needs to fully recover from this thumb injury and return to the dominant form we know he is capable of.
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New York Knicks Star Gets Brutally Honest About Shooting Slump
The New York Knicks made plenty of history amidst Monday’s mauling of the Memphis Grizzles, enough so that even two three-pointers served as a landmark.
Karl-Anthony Towns was offered some relief amidst the 143-106 shellacking, the game’s blowout nature allowed Towns to step out after a relatively low 33 minutes and a 2-of-4 mark from three-point range was part of his 24-point showing that created yet another double-double next to his 11 rebounds.
“Man, it’s been a struggle huh?” a cheery Towns said in the aftermath in video from SNY. “It’s been looking bad, I ain’t gonna lie to you. I’ve been worried my damn self.”
Karl-Anthony Towns on hitting a couple of triples tonight vs. Memphis after going 1-for-10 the past 3 games:
“Man, it’s been a struggle huh? It’s been looking bad, I ain’t gonna lie to you. I’ve been worried my damn self” pic.twitter.com/pEh4WsCB2O
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) January 28, 2025
Amidst the Knicks’ active winning streak, which reached four on Monday, Towns was struggling to maintain his career-best shooting output from three-point range (just over 43 percent). A sprained thumb that kept him out of two games stifled such progress and he was 1-of-10 in the Knicks’ prior three before the Grizzlies visit.
Monday’s game was his first date with multiple triples since Jan. 13’s loss to Detroit. It was part of one of the most dominant scoring outputs in recent Knicks memory, as they became just the 10th team in NBA history to score at least 143 points in consecutive regulation games.
The struggles haven’t killed Towns’ confidence, which has propelled him to his first All-Star Game starting five nomination.
“Every day, regardless of what happens, [I keep] a shooter’s mindset. If I’m shooting, the next one’s in,” Towns said (h/t SNY). “My teammates instill a bunch of confidence in me regardless of what’s happening. I just want to reward them for that kind of trust in me. I’m happy that tonight I hit got some threes that gave ourselves more space on the offensive side.”
Monday’s win moved the Knicks (31-16) to within a game of the Eastern Conference’s second seed currently held by Boston. Towns’ next chance to carry his momentum from the outside lands on Wednesday when the Knicks host the Denver Nuggets (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
New York Knicks Star Gets Brutally Honest About Shooting SlumpNew York Knicks fans have been left frustrated as their star player has been struggling with his shooting form in recent games. The team’s leading scorer, who is usually a reliable shooter, has been unable to find his rhythm on the court.
In a recent interview, the player opened up about his shooting slump, admitting that it has been a mental battle for him. He shared that he has been putting in extra hours in the gym, working with the team’s coaches to try and find a solution to his shooting woes.
“It’s been tough, really tough,” the player said. “I know I’m better than this and I owe it to my team and the fans to get back to my usual form. I just need to stay focused and keep working hard.”
Despite his struggles, the player remains optimistic and determined to bounce back. He knows that shooting slumps are a part of the game, but he is confident that he will be able to overcome this challenge and come out stronger on the other side.
Knicks fans are hopeful that their star player will soon find his shooting touch again and lead the team to victory. In the meantime, they continue to show their support and cheer him on as he works through this rough patch.
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#York #Knicks #Star #Brutally #Honest #Shooting #SlumpKarl-Anthony Towns’ shooting slump hasn’t hurt Knicks yet
The Knicks have been rolling with five consecutive wins, even with a downturn in production from 3-point range by All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns over that span.
Towns had been shooting a career-best 44.9 percent from long distance through Jan. 13 before sitting out two games with a sprain and bone chip in his right thumb.
Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the Knicks-Nuggets game on Jan. 29, 2025. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Towns still leads all Knicks regulars at 42.4 percent, but he has missed 15 of his last 18 attempts from beyond the arc during the winning streak entering Saturday night’s home game against the Lakers, including an 0-for-4 showing in Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets.
Kevin McCullar Jr., the Knicks’ second-round pick (56th overall) out of Kansas, made his professional debut Thursday night for G League Westchester following a collegiate knee injury.
The 6-foot-6 forward scored 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting in 16 minutes in a loss to the Osceola Magic.
“Man, after a long year, it felt good to be back out there competing!” the 23-year-old McCullar posted on X. “God is so good.”
Anthony Davis (abdominal strain) and Christian Wood (knee) are out for the Lakers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (shoulder) and Gabe Vincent (knee) are questionable, while LeBron James (knee) and Rui Hachimura (calf) are probable.
Josh Hart (right knee soreness) is listed as questionable again for the Knicks.
Seldom-used rookie Pacome Dadiet is out with a sprained toe.
The Knicks’ bench has provided a nice lift during the team’s winning streak.
Miles McBride has netted 26 points over the past two games, with Precious Achiuwa totaling 22 and Cam Payne 18 in the wins earlier this week over the Grizzlies and the Nuggets.
Landry Shamet also has been a part of a nine-man rotation in all five games, notching a season-high nine points last Saturday against the Kings.
Karl-Anthony Towns, one of the New York Knicks’ key players, has been struggling with his shooting lately. However, his shooting slump hasn’t seemed to hurt the team yet.Despite shooting below his usual percentages, Towns has still been contributing in other ways on the court. His rebounding, passing, and defense have all been solid, helping to make up for his lackluster shooting. Additionally, the rest of the team has been stepping up to pick up the slack and secure wins.
While it’s important for Towns to find his shooting rhythm again, it’s reassuring to see the Knicks performing well even when one of their star players isn’t at his best. This just goes to show the depth and resilience of the team, and bodes well for their success moving forward.
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Kansas State’s Brendan Hausen Attributes Defense To Strong 3-Point Shooting
Kansas State guard Brendan Hausen is one of the best 3-point shooters in Big 12 basketball, ranking No. 1 in 3-pointers per game (3.1) and No. 3 in 3-point percentage (41.3%).
But even then, some of the Wildcats’ losses could be attributed to their sharpshooter’s inconsistency. Thankfully, Hausen rebounded against Oklahoma State with one of his best performances this season, going 5-of-5 from the arc for 18 points. The Cowboys’ inability to stop the Amarillo Assassin showcased how dangerous he could be as a consistent outside threat.
Hausen said his star performance started with the defense.
“We got stops tonight, I was able to run, which always helps to free me up,” Hausen said. “It was definitely nice to see the first few go in, and the bucket just gets bigger from there.”
Hawkins agreed, saying the defense can determine how they control the ball on the other end. The team shot 52.2 percent from the arc Wednesday night, illustrating the positive trend in shooting from long distance. But Hawkins says it could improve even more with better transition defense.
“If our transition defense gets better, I’d feel more comfortable shooting quicker catch-and-shoot 3s,” Hawkins said. “I feel like we need to work on that. That way, our long shots and long rebounds aren’t leaking out and getting them easier transition buckets.”
These types of performances are what Kansas State needs as they continue their Big 12 play. It continues Saturday afternoon against Iowa State (17-3, 7-2 in Big 12).
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Kansas State’s Brendan Hausen Attributes Defense To Strong 3-Point ShootingKansas State’s Brendan Hausen has been a key player for the Wildcats this season, especially on the defensive end. Hausen, a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, has been instrumental in the team’s success on defense.
Hausen’s ability to knock down 3-pointers has forced opposing teams to extend their defense, opening up driving lanes for his teammates and creating spacing on the court. This has allowed Kansas State to be more efficient on offense and has also helped them on the defensive end.
With Hausen’s threat from long range, teams are forced to guard him closely, limiting their help defense and leaving gaps in the defense that Kansas State has been able to exploit. This has led to numerous fast break opportunities for the Wildcats and has helped them create turnovers and get stops on defense.
Hausen’s strong 3-point shooting has not only been a weapon on offense, but it has also been a catalyst for the team’s success on defense. His ability to stretch the floor and force defenses to adjust has been a key factor in Kansas State’s strong defensive play this season. With Hausen leading the way, the Wildcats will look to continue their success on both ends of the court as they push towards the end of the season.
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#Kansas #States #Brendan #Hausen #Attributes #Defense #Strong #3Point #ShootingRapper 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$AP Rocky’s accuser takes the stand again for cross-examination regarding shooting incident
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A$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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#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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Jennifer Crumbley’s appeal: Judge expected to rule on request for new Oxford High School shooting trial
PONTIAC, Mich. (FOX 2) – An Oakland County judge is expected to make a decision Friday as Jennifer Crumbley, the Oxford High School shooter‘s mother, seeks a new trial.
Watch the hearing live above at 9 a.m.
Jennifer and her husband, James Crumbley, were both convicted by juries of four counts of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison for their role in the Nov. 30, 2021 school shooting. The charges were brought against the couple after their then-15-year-old son brought a gun to school and killed four people.
Judge to rule on Jennifer Crumbley’s appeal request
An Oakland County judge will hear arguments Friday before ruling on motions filed by Jennifer Crumbley’s attorney as she seeks a new trial and release from prison. Crumbley was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after her son killed four classmates at Oxford High School.
Last month, Jennifer’s attorney, Michael Dezsi, filed an appeal to her sentence, saying that her trial was “riddled with errors.” Issues raised in the appeal included the prosecution not disclosing agreements with key witnesses to jurors, publicity around the case, and Jennifer being convicted for not controlling her minor son, despite him being convicted as an adult.
However, on Thursday Judge Cheryl Matthews denied most of the motions filed by Dezsi. In court Friday, she will only hear arguments about the proffer agreements before making a final ruling.
Jennifer Crumbley wants out of prison
The backstory:
While the appeal is pending, Dezsi says Jennifer should be allowed to post bond and be released from prison because she “has committed no crime, has never harmed anyone, and is certainly not a flight risk.”
He went on to call the prosecutors “overreaching,” and said the case was the result of “attempts to pin the failings of a nation on the back of a parent.”
According to Dezsi, sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence as short as 43 months, but Jennifer received more than a decade behind bars.
“Having Mrs. Crumbley locked up at the Michigan Department of Corrections’ Women’s Huron Valley facility not only casts a dark shadow over the justice system but rewards the prosecution of a fabricated crime, setting a very dangerous precedent,” Dezsi said in a press release.
Dezsi argued that evidence was withheld from the trial, including information that two key witnesses who worked at the school entered into cooperation agreements to testify against Jennifer. According to Dezski, these agreements were not disclosed.
According to the appeal filing, the agreements should have been shared with the jury because the employees – Nick Ejak and Shawn Hopkins – interacted with the shooter the day of the crime, and had the chance to search his backpack before the shooting, but did not.
“These findings merely demonstrate why Hopkins and Ejak were given Proffer Agreements in the first place, because they had obvious criminal exposure,” Dezsi wrote. “To the extent that these witnesses testified so as to shift blame away from themselves and onto the parents, the jury should have been made aware of those Proffer Agreements so that they could more accurately and fully assess their credibility.”
Jennifer’s defense believes knowledge of the agreements would have helped with cross-examining Ejak and Hopkins. However, the prosecution denies that the pair were offered anything to testify.
In the court filing, Dezsi wrote that the prosecution argued that Jennifer did not control her minor child. However, he noted that her child was convicted and sentenced as an adult.
“These theories are both factually inconsistent and mutually exclusive amounting to a violation of Mrs. Crumbley’s due process rights under both federal and state law,” he wrote.
Dezsi also argued that the jury was told that they could convict Jennifer even if their verdict was not unanimous.
The other side:
After the appeal was filed, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the appeal, saying in part that ” James and Jennifer Crumbley are the rare, grossly negligent exception, and twenty-four jurors unanimously agreed that they are responsible for the deaths of Hana, Madisyn, Tate, and Justin. Holding them accountable for their role is one important step in making our schools safer.”
The Source: Information in this story is from previous FOX 2 reporting and court records.
Oakland County Prosecutor McDonald doesn’t think Crumbley parents prosecution set precedent
The mass school shooting in Georgia echoes the 2021 Oxford incident – with allegations that the suspect’s father was given the gun he used as a gift.
Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of Ethan Crumbley, one of the teenagers responsible for the tragic shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, has filed an appeal requesting a new trial for her son. The appeal argues that the original trial was unfair and that crucial evidence was not properly considered.Now, the judge is expected to rule on this request for a new trial. Many are closely following this case, as it raises important questions about accountability and justice in cases of school shootings.
Stay tuned for updates on the judge’s decision and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding this heartbreaking tragedy. #OxfordHighSchool #JenniferCrumbley #newtrial #justice
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