‘I Need Trump Lawyer’: California judge says A$AP Rocky will go to trial for alleged 2021 shooting of high school friend A$AP Relli
Rapper A$AP Rocky is set to face trial in Los Angeles for allegedly shooting his childhood friend and fellow performer. The Grammy nominee, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is charged with two counts of felony assault with a firearm for the incident involving his friend, fellow rapper Terell Ephron. If found guilty, Mayers could face up to nine years in prison.
Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, and Mayers were once close friends and members of the A$AP Mob, a rap collective based in Harlem. The altercation between the two men took place on the streets of Hollywood, where Mayers allegedly fired a semi-automatic handgun in Ephron’s direction, causing minor injuries. The incident led to heightened charges, including firearm possession.
Mayers was not apprehended for the shooting until April 2022, when he was detained by the Los Angeles Police Department upon returning from a trip to Barbados with singer Rihanna, with whom he shares two children. Despite the evidence presented, including security camera footage and eyewitness accounts, Mayers has pleaded not guilty and denied being the person in the video.
Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there was enough evidence to proceed to trial, setting an arraignment date of Jan. 8, 2024. In addition to the criminal charges, Ephron has filed a civil lawsuit seeking $25,000 in compensatory damages related to the same incident.
Mayers is being represented in the California criminal case by former Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina, who expressed confidence in Mayers‘ eventual vindication. On the other side, Ephron is represented by former Johnny Depp attorney Camille Vasquez.
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The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile individuals involved, and the outcome of the trial will be eagerly anticipated by fans and legal observers alike.
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