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In 2022, A$AP Rocky was arrested at LAX airport in connection with an ongoing investigation of a previously unreported shooting in Los Angeles in 2021. It was later revealed that the rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of firing a gun multiple times at former A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron) during a meeting in November 2021. The altercation has since bloomed into a multi-pronged legal case for the rapper who’s been charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Rocky has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Separately, Rocky is also facing a civil lawsuit from Relli, who has accused Rocky and his lawyer Joe Tacopina of defamation.
A$AP Rocky’s trial on the gun charges began today, January 21, with jury selection at Los Angeles County Superior Court. If convicted at trial, Mayers could face up to nine years in prison.
Below take a look at how the trial is set to take shape as well as everything we know so far about the case.
When did A$AP Rocky’s trial begin?
Jury selection took place on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 with opening statements expected the following day. Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold said at a pretrial hearing that he aims to seat the jury as quickly as possible. “I will let the jurors know that regardless of who a defendant is, whether they’re the richest person in the world or the poorest person, everybody is to be treated the same,” he said, per the Associated Press.
Arnold also confirmed that he expects Rocky to appear daily and will allow filming in court for the duration of the trial.
What exactly is A$AP Rocky charged with?
Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. It is alleged that he fired shots at former friend A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron) on November 6, 2021.
Video of the alleged incident was shown at a preliminary hearing in late 2023. In it prosecutors allege Rocky fired a weapon at Ephron at the corner of Selma Avenue and Vista Del Mar Avenue in Hollywood. The altercation between the two men is alleged to have begun at a parking lot a block away.
Attorneys Jamal Tooson and Brian Hurwitz claimed Rocky invited Ephron to “discuss a disagreement between the two of them” and that the rapper arrived with a semi-automatic handgun: “After arriving at the location, a conversation ensued whereby without provocation, warning, or any justification, A$AP Rocky produced the handgun and intentionally fired multiple shots at Mr. Ephron.” One of the bullets is alleged to have grazed the former A$AP Mob member’s left hand.
Who is representing A$AP Rocky and what does he say?
Defense lawyer Joe Tacopina will handle the case, having previously represented Donald Trump in his hush money trial. Tacopina withdrew from that case in January 2024. He has also represented rappers Meek Mill and YG in court and has said he is confident in securing victory for Rocky in his upcoming trial. He has called the case against his client “fundamentally weak” and his defense position “very, very strong.”
Tacopina has also accused Ephron and his team of being motivated by financial gain, saying, “I think this is in large part about money, money, money. And there’s jealousy, obviously. He’s made that clear. If he [Ephron] got money, we wouldn’t all be sitting here right now.”
Aren’t Rocky and his attorney also being sued by Ephron?
Yes. Separately, Ephron has hired Camille Vasquez, the attorney who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. In 2023. Ephron’s team filed a civil complaint that alleges 10 different instances where Ephron was defamed in the press.
How long is the trial expected to last?
It is believed that a verdict will be reached after 15 days in court.
Will Rihanna appear at any point?
Tacopina has suggested this is unlikely. “I know Rocky is very protective of Rihanna and doesn’t want her anywhere near this proceeding. But that’s a family decision they’ll make,” he told reporters last week.
