Update: A$AP Rocky Enters New ‘Not Guilty’ Plea In Alleged A$AP Relli Shooting

A$AP Rocky & A$AP Relli

Update: A$AP Rocky Enters New ‘Not Guilty’ Plea In Alleged A$AP Relli Shooting

Update#2: (Jan. 08, 2024): A$AP Rocky is maintaining his innocence.

Today (Jan. 08) the rapper pleaded not guilty to charges that he fired a gun at his former friend A$AP Relli outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021. A$AP Rocky is facing two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and one count of personal use of a firearm for the alleged incident. The “Praise The Lord” artist previously pleaded not guilty to the same charges.

According to reports, the new plea was required because a judge ruled in November that prosecutors had enough evidence to move forward with a trial. However, A$AP Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina shared they’re confident the entertainer will ultimately be found not guilty.

Tacopina shared with press outside the courtroom,

“We have a lot of evidence that we have a strong suspicion the prosecutors don’t know about.”

Judge Karla Kerlin set a pre-trial hearing date for 6 March.

[VIA: 1,2]

A$AP Rocky enters new "not guilty" plea to 2 felony gun assault charges

Prosecutors say he fired on A$AP Relli on an LA street in 2021

Rocky is "cool as a cucumber," confident he'll be vindicated, lawyer Joe Tacopina said after arraignment pic.twitter.com/tgkCodztbn

— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) January 8, 2024

Update#1: (Nov. 20, 2023): A$AP Rocky is heading to trial.

According to new reports, during a preliminary hearing that occurred today (Nov. 20), Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there is enough evidence for A$AP Rocky to stand trial for allegations that he fired a gun at A$AP Relli outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021.

A$AP Rocky has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Despite this, Judge Villar reportedly stated that “the totality of the video and testimony” shows there is sufficient evidence for the defendant to go to trial.

Reportedly, prosecutors played in the courtroom video footage of A$AP Rocky seemingly holding a gun amid a physical dispute with A$AP Relli. You may recall that A$AP Relli has accused his former friend of assault and attempted murder, claiming he was hit in the hand with a bullet as the “Sundress” artist fired multiple shots in his direction.

[VIA: 1,2]

Original Story: (Nov 9, 2023): Things are moving forward in the shooting case between A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli.

According to reports, a clip from a nearby surveillance camera caught the alleged incident and was played during a recent court hearing, though reporters state it was hard to see what was happening.

If you recall, A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, 35, was named in a lawsuit by fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, accusing him of assault and attempted murder. A$AP Rocky has maintained his innocence, entering a plea of not guilty, though Relli only doubled down on his claims during his recent testimony. Reportedly, the plaintiff, defendant, and the courtroom watched footage of the alleged shooting on Wednesday (November 8th). In the footage, taken from a camera across the street, a group of men can reportedly be seen in some kind of altercation.

The reports note that the men appear tiny and nearly unrecognizable in the footage and that no “obvious” shooting took place. Reportedly, the video concludes with one individual “sprinting” off before the others hurry away. Relli reportedly stated after the clip ended:

“It’s a little blurry, but you can make out everybody,”

A$AP Relli

According to him, the main characters of the footage include himself, as the victim being shot, Rocky, as the shooter, and other A$AP members Bari (Jabari Shelton), Illz (Illijah Ulanger), and Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips), who were reportedly present to help with the alleged murder attempt. Relli said that he and Rocky fell out after he called the “Fashion Killa” rapper “fake” for flaking on paying for funeral expenses for their mutual friend. He admitted during the testimony that he eventually learned the musician did actually take care of the bill.

A$AP Rocky

Relli then testified that the two didn’t speak again following his comments until Rocky reached out to him upon his visit to Los Angeles the day of the alleged shooting. When the two met, Relli said Rocky had a gun in his waistband, threatening “I’ll kill you right now.” After a few back-and-forths, Relli said Rocky fired the pistol grazing his left hand before firing off a few more rounds, causing everyone to flee. The plaintiff claimed he took pictures of the shell casings and immediately sought out a lawyer, even before seeking medical attention for his hand wound or reporting the incident.

A series of subsequent texts between the two reportedly show Relli accusing Rocky of the shooting, with Rocky adamantly denying it, telling him to “call the police.” The musician’s legal defense has reportedly taken the stance that the rap star is innocent, arguing that Relli’s lawsuit is simply an extortion attempt.

Rocky was charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and is facing up to nine years behind bars if convicted. The recent court session was reportedly a probable cause hearing to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to move forward with the case. It does not appear a judge has decided on the matter at this time.

[VIA]

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