A key defence witness in the A$AP Rocky gun assault trial has testified that the alleged victim taunted the rapper to “shoot that fake-ass gun”.
A$AP Rocky – real name Rakim Mayers – is undergoing a felony trial in Los Angeles, facing two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. The charges relate to a November 2021 incident where he is alleged to have pulled out a gun and fired at his former friend A$AP Mob collaborator A$AP Relli, aka Terell Ephron. If convicted, Mayers could face up to 24 years in prison.
The trial began on January 24, with prosecutors arguing over eight days of evidence that Mayers pointed the gun at Ephron and fired, grazing Ephron’s knuckles.
Mayers has pleaded not guilty and on Friday (February 7), the defence called on A$AP Twelvyy – real name Jamel Phillips – as a witness. Phillips argued that both he and Ephron were fully aware that the gun in question was a starter pistol that could not fire live ammunition.
As reported by Rolling Stone, Phillips said in court: “[Relli] told him to shoot that fake-ass gun”.
During his own testimony, Ephron claimed that he never accused Rocky of having a fake gun, repeatedly stating that he believed the gun to be real. He claims a real bullet grazed his hand.
Phillips’ testimony included statements that he had seen Rocky carry a starter pistol as a deterrent multiple times before the November 2021 incident, believing he kept it after being the victim of crimes himself.
Rocky’s lawyers have said he fired “two warning shots” from the “prop gun” in an effort to break up a fight, and allege that Relli’s accusations are rooted in a lie that has been orchestrated for financial gain.
“This case is about one man’s lies, jealousy and greed,” Rocky’s lawyer Joseph Tacopina said, referring to Relli as the “source of all the evidence”. “Ladies and gentleman, this case is all about money. The evidence will show it’s nothing more than a money grab,” he continued. “The evidence will make clear Relli is trying to leverage a fabricated story to extract money.”
Rocky’s partner Rihanna has made multiple appearances in court during the trial, sitting out of view of the courtroom cameras for the first time on January 29. The BBC reported that during jury selection, prosecutors asked jurors if the pop star’s connection to the case would impact their ability to reach a fair verdict. While some are reportedly fans of the singer, they all said her presence would not affect the decision they make.
