Rapper A$AP Rocky is set for trial after being accused of shooting former friend A$AP Relli. On Monday, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that there is sufficient evidence to support the two assaults with a firearm charges against him.
Judge M.L. Villar emphasized that California state law requires only a “scintilla” of evidence to support the charges, and prosecutors have presented “more than sufficient evidence,” including a video showing a gun.
Despite acknowledging that one video doesn’t show the shooting, the judge noted, “You do hear two shots” in another video.
Rocky, known for being Rihanna’s boyfriend and father of her two children, allegedly fired shots at Terell “A$AP Relli” Ephron on November 6, 2021, in Hollywood. The evidence includes a photo of Relli’s scraped knuckles, who testified that the first bullet grazed his knuckles.
Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, stated that he welcomes a trial, expressing confidence that Rocky will be vindicated. Tacopina claims that the shooting never occurred and that Relli is falsely accusing Rocky to extort money.
Relli, angry over a perceived financial disagreement, accused Rocky of backing out of a plan. Their confrontation near a hotel in Hollywood allegedly led to Rocky pointing a gun at Relli, firing three to four shots.
Tacopina argues that the witness’s evidence will be insurmountable and that Relli is attempting to extort money by making false accusations. The trial will delve into these conflicting accounts.
Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, faces two counts of first-degree assault with a firearm. Arrested in April 2022, he has been out on bond since and is handling the situation with a focus on protecting his family, according to Tacopina.
Apart from the criminal case, Relli is also suing Rocky for defamation, represented by the same lawyers who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard. Judge Villar has ruled against addressing the civil lawsuits during the trial, stating that it’s irrelevant to the probable cause determination.
