The assault trial of Grammy-nominated rapper and fashion mogul A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, kicked off on Friday in Los Angeles, drawing intense public scrutiny.
The hip-hop star stands accused of firing a gun at former friend and fellow artist Terell Ephron during a 2021 confrontation near a Hollywood hotel. If convicted on two felony assault charges, the rapper could face up to 24 years in prison.
Prosecutors Claim Aggression
In their opening statements, prosecutors painted Mayers as the aggressor, accusing him of orchestrating the violent incident following a disagreement with Ephron.
Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec presented video evidence and text messages, characterizing the case as straightforward.
“What will become almost instantly clear is that this is not a complicated case,” Przelomiec said, detailing how Ephron’s knuckles were grazed by bullets after the rapper allegedly opened fire during a heated confrontation.
Defense Argues Extortion Plot
Defense attorney Joe Tacopina fired back, asserting that the accusations are fueled by jealousy and greed. He claimed the alleged firearm was a starter pistol—a prop incapable of firing live ammunition—carried for self-defense.
Tacopina framed the trial as a “clear attempt at extortion,” blaming the fallout on money disputes between former friends.
Key Testimony and Missing Evidence
Ephron, once part of the A$AP Mob collective with Mayers, is set to take the stand as the trial’s star witness.
The defense has questioned his credibility, highlighting delays in reporting the incident to police and inconsistencies in evidence collection.
Authorities initially found no shell casings at the scene. Ephron later returned to the site, claiming he discovered two casings, which he handed over days after the incident.
Rihanna’s Absence, Career at Stake
While Mayers was joined in court by family, his partner Rihanna—mother of their two children—was notably absent.
The trial comes at a pivotal moment for the rapper, who is set to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala and star in an upcoming Spike Lee film alongside Denzel Washington.
This isn’t Mayers’ first legal battle. In 2019, he received a suspended sentence for his role in a Stockholm brawl—a case that attracted global attention, including an unsuccessful intervention from then-president Donald Trump.
As the trial unfolds, the stakes couldn’t be higher for one of hip-hop’s brightest stars, whose career hangs in the balance.
