A$AP Rocky's trial begins with prosecutors showing video of shooting

The trial of A$AP Rocky, a well-known rapper, commenced on Friday in Los Angeles, where he faces serious allegations of shooting at a former friend. A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, could potentially face a lengthy prison sentence of up to 24 years if convicted on two felony assault charges stemming from an incident that occurred in 2021 near a hotel in Hollywood. During the opening statements, prosecutors painted A$AP Rocky as the aggressor, claiming he had a premeditated plan to shoot his childhood friend following a disagreement. The rapper, who has gained fame not only for his music but also for his fashion ventures and his relationship with singer Rihanna, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and firmly denies the accusations against him. The alleged victim, Terell Ephron, who is also an artist and a childhood friend of A$AP Rocky, testified last year that he was shot at and that bullets grazed his knuckles during the incident. He stated that he sought medical attention at a hospital after returning to New York. The shooting reportedly took place on November 6, 2021, after a heated argument between the two men, who were both part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective and had known each other since their high school days in New York. A jury consisting of seven women and five men was selected over three days before the trial began. A$AP Rocky appeared in court wearing a grey suit and was accompanied by some family members, although Rihanna, with whom he shares two children, was notably absent. It remains uncertain whether she will attend the trial, but A$AP Rocky's attorney mentioned that he has tried to keep his family away from the situation. Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec opened the trial with a detailed presentation of video evidence, asserting that the case against A$AP Rocky is straightforward. He stated, 'What will become almost instantly clear is that this is not a complicated case. ' The prosecutor explained that A$AP Rocky, along with two friends and Terell Ephron, met to discuss their disagreement from the previous night, but the meeting escalated into violence. The first video presented, although partially obscured, depicted a confrontation between two men, with two others intervening. A$AP Rocky was seen pulling out a gun but did not fire it. Additional footage captured two gunshots during a scuffle involving the same group. According to the prosecutor, Terell Ephron told A$AP Rocky, 'If you brought a gun, then you should shoot. ' Moments later, A$AP Rocky is accused of firing the weapon, allegedly grazing Ephron's knuckle. The prosecutor emphasized that Terell did not believe he was in danger of being shot at that moment. The jury was also shown text messages exchanged shortly after the incident, where Terell accused A$AP Rocky of attempting to kill him. Terell wrote, 'U try killing me,' to which A$AP Rocky responded, 'wtf iz ut talking about. ' A$AP Rocky rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 180-day prison sentence, claiming that the weapon he was accused of using was merely a 'prop gun' that could not fire real bullets. His defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued that the gun was a starter pistol used as a prop, which A$AP Rocky's security team advised him to carry for protection against potential attackers, as he had been a victim of crimes in the past. Tacopina characterized the case as a bitter fallout between friends, suggesting that it was motivated by jealousy and financial issues. He stated, 'This case is about one man's jealousy, which lies in green. This case is all about money, a clear attempt at extortion. Period, end of story. ' A significant point of contention in the trial is the police investigation and the timeline of Terell's injuries. The defense highlighted that Terell took several days to report the incident to the police and that authorities found no evidence of a shooting at the scene. Although police did not discover any bullet shell casings initially, Terell later returned to the location and collected two shell casings, which he presented to the police when he reported the incident two days later. The defense asserted that the outcome of the trial hinges on Terell's testimony, noting, 'He's the witness that this case will rise and fall on. ' The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks, with Terell anticipated to be a key witness. This trial comes at a pivotal moment for A$AP Rocky's career, as he is set to co-chair the prestigious Met Gala in May alongside notable figures such as Anna Wintour, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams, and LeBron James. Additionally, he is scheduled to appear in a film directed by Spike Lee later this summer, alongside acclaimed actor Denzel Washington. A$AP Rocky has faced legal troubles in the past, including a conviction related to a brawl in Sweden in 2019, which drew significant media attention and even prompted former President Donald Trump to attempt to secure his release while he awaited trial. A$AP Rocky, who hails from New York, emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2010s, achieving eight platinum singles in the United States, including hits like 'Wild For The Night,' 'Everyday,' 'LSD,' and 'A$AP Forever. ' He gained recognition after being supported by fellow artist Drake and has collaborated with numerous other prominent musicians.