Rihanna appears at A$AP Rocky's trial - here's what to know about the case

Rihanna, the well-known pop star, made an appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday to support her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, as he faces serious assault charges. A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has pleaded not guilty to the allegations against him. The trial is centered around claims that he pulled a gun on a former friend and fired it multiple times during a heated argument. Rihanna was present in the courtroom alongside A$AP Rocky's family, as the trial examined the details of the incident that could lead to significant penalties for the rapper. If found guilty, A$AP Rocky could face decades in prison for the two felony assault charges he is currently facing. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in November 2021 in Hollywood. Prosecutors allege that A$AP Rocky and his former friend, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, had a disagreement that escalated into violence. Terell Ephron, who is the main witness for the prosecution, has known A$AP Rocky since their high school days in New York. Their friendship deteriorated over time as A$AP Rocky's career took off, leading to the confrontation that is now at the center of the trial. Terell took the stand this week to recount their relationship and the events surrounding the alleged shooting. According to court documents, the two men met outside a Hollywood hotel on November 6, 2021, after their earlier disagreement. It is alleged that A$AP Rocky pulled out a gun and threatened Terell, saying, 'I'll kill you right now. ' Terell reportedly challenged A$AP Rocky to shoot him, but instead, A$AP Rocky walked away. Terell followed him, continuing to express his frustrations. At that point, A$AP Rocky is accused of pulling out the gun again and firing it, with multiple bullets being discharged. One bullet is said to have grazed Terell's knuckles. Surveillance footage captured parts of the incident, including audio of gunfire, although there is no video evidence of the actual shooting. Some of this footage has already been shown to the jurors in court. A$AP Rocky's defense team is contesting the allegations, arguing that the weapon in question was not a real gun but rather a prop gun that A$AP Rocky's security team encouraged him to carry for protection. They have also pointed out that Terell took several days to report the incident to the police and that no bullet casings or evidence of a shooting were found when authorities arrived at the scene. Terell later returned to the location and collected two shell casings, which he brought to the police two days after the incident. Additionally, he did not seek medical attention immediately but waited until he returned to New York. If A$AP Rocky is convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison. The trial is expected to last around three weeks, with a jury of 12 people responsible for determining the outcome. Rihanna's presence in the courtroom has generated significant media attention and interest from fans. She sat between A$AP Rocky's mother and sister during the proceedings. Before the trial began, A$AP Rocky's lawyer indicated that he wanted to keep his family away from the case. It remains uncertain whether Rihanna will continue to attend the trial. During jury selection, jurors were asked about Rihanna's fame and whether it would influence their ability to deliver a fair verdict. While some jurors admitted to being fans of Rihanna, they stated that her presence would not affect their decision-making. Interestingly, her presence also caught the attention of jurors in a murder trial taking place in the same courthouse. The trial is being broadcast on television, but Rihanna was seated in a way that kept her out of the camera's view. A$AP Rocky was seen outside the courthouse wearing sunglasses and a suit, as he prepared for the judge's decision on the case. This trial is being closely watched, and many are eager to see how it unfolds.