ASAP Rocky Faces January Trial Over Alleged Gun Discharge Towards Former Friend

ASAP Rocky is set to face trial in January, accused of firing a semiautomatic handgun at his former friend, ASAP Relli.

Following a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles on Monday, November 20, Judge M.L. Villar concluded that there's enough evidence for Rocky, 35, to proceed to trial. Prosecutors assert that the rapper, born Rakim Mayers, pointed and discharged a handgun at Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, two years ago. The trial is scheduled for January 8, 2024.

Facing two felony counts of assault with a firearm, Rocky could potentially serve up to nine years in prison if found guilty. Despite pleading not guilty in August 2022, Rocky reiterated his innocence during Monday's hearing.

Rocky's attorney, Joe Tacopina, expressed confidence in his client's vindication, stating, “I am certain Rocky will be vindicated of all of this.”

The legal saga began in April 2022 when Rocky was taken into custody at an airport upon returning to the U.S. after a vacation in Barbados with his girlfriend, Rihanna, with whom he shares two children.

“The suspect has been identified as 33-year-old Rakim Mayers, a Los Angeles resident, better known as music artist ASAP Rocky,” stated the Los Angeles Police Department via X (formerly Twitter) after the airport arrest.

According to LAPD, Rocky was involved in an altercation with an "acquaintance" in November 2021, during which a handgun was allegedly fired, causing minor harm to the victim. Rocky and two others reportedly left the scene.

Released on $550,000 bail a few hours after his arrest, Rocky faced further legal complications in August 2022 when Relli filed a separate civil suit against him for assault, battery, and emotional distress.

Relli's attorneys, Jamal Tooson and Brian Hurwitz, shared Relli's side of the story, asserting that Rocky lured him to a secluded location "to discuss a disagreement between the two of them." According to the attorneys, Rocky came armed with a semiautomatic handgun without Relli's knowledge. They claimed that, without provocation, Rocky fired multiple shots at Relli, who subsequently received death threats and suffered damage to his career.

Rocky's legal team countered Relli's narrative in a statement, denying the allegations and stating, “Defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint, and specifically denies that Plaintiff has been damaged in any amount or in any way as a result of any act or omission of answering defendant.”

In asserting Rocky's innocence, they argued that any injuries or damages mentioned in the complaint were caused by the actions of someone other than Rocky. The legal proceedings continue, shaping the future of ASAP Rocky's involvement in this contentious case.