Rihanna showed her support for her partner, A$AP Rocky, by attending his ongoing trial in Los Angeles on Wednesday, January 29, as the rapper faces felony charges stemming from a 2021 shooting incident.
The pop star, dressed in a casual outfit, sat between A$AP Rocky’s mother and sister in the courtroom, where the trial continued for a second day. Although Rihanna’s presence was not visible on the court’s livestream, legal reporter Meghan Cuniff confirmed that security was stationed around her during the session. Rihanna is not expected to testify in the case, according to Variety.
A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is facing serious charges related to an alleged altercation in November 2021, when he allegedly fired a semiautomatic weapon at former A$AP Mob member Terrell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, after an argument near a Hollywood hotel. The shooting is at the heart of the current trial, and the rapper has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Last week, A$AP Rocky declined a plea deal that could have resulted in him serving 180 days in jail. The deal also recommended three years of probation and a seven-year suspended sentence. If convicted of both felony charges, the rapper could face a maximum of 24 years in prison. His lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has insisted that the gun involved in the incident was a prop gun, and he claims the rapper fired blanks to defuse the situation.
In the courtroom, Relli took the stand on Tuesday, January 28, providing his testimony to the jury. Ephron described the moment he was allegedly shot, recalling, “He turned around and then it was like boom.” Ephron also stated that he was hit, but not seriously injured, adding, “I didn’t have a hole or nothing.” He maintained that A$AP Rocky had a “real gun” in his hand during the incident. Relli later told the court that the aftermath of the shooting has caused significant distress in his life, describing his experiences as “a living hell.”
The defense has yet to present its case, but it is expected that they will challenge Relli’s testimony during cross-examination. The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday, January 30, with the defense preparing to dispute some of the claims made by the prosecution and the alleged victim.
A$AP Rocky’s arrest in April 2022 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) followed the alleged shooting, which had been under investigation for several months. The rapper was released on a $550,000 bond shortly after his arrest and later entered a not guilty plea to all charges in August 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
Since the incident, the Harlem-born rapper has maintained that he was acting in self-defense. He and his legal team have worked to discredit accusations that he fired a live weapon during the altercation. However, video footage from the night in question allegedly shows the rapper holding a firearm, which has added to the complexity of his defense.
Rihanna’s presence in the courtroom is seen as a sign of solidarity, as the couple navigates this legal challenge. Despite the gravity of the situation, she continues to stand by her partner, showing her unwavering support during what is a difficult time for both of them.
As the trial moves forward, all eyes will be on the defense’s efforts to counter Relli’s testimony, and whether the jury will ultimately believe A$AP Rocky’s account of the events.
The trial’s outcome remains uncertain, but it is sure to be a significant moment for the rapper, who faces potential legal and personal consequences. Fans of both A$AP Rocky and Rihanna are closely following the developments, as the couple faces one of the most challenging periods of their public lives.