A$AP Rocky Faces Jail Time As He Is Set To Stand Trial For First-Degree Assault

Rapper A$AP Rocky is scheduled to stand trial on charges of assault with a firearm, a Los Angeles judge has ruled.

Reports indicate that the 35-year-old allegedly assaulted his former friend, A$AP Relli with a firearm in 2021. 

The decision was made on Monday during the second day of a preliminary hearing, which was attended by A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers.

According to prosecutors, Mayers pointed and fired a handgun at A$AP Relli whose real name is Terell Ephron, causing minor injuries.

The rapper, who has two children with Rihanna, previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Relli who was part of the A$AP Mob, and has known the rapper since their time together at a New York high school, alleges separately in a lawsuit that he is the victim of assault and battery, negligence, and emotional distress. 

A$AP Relli, claims that on November 6, 2021, Rocky  “lured” him to an obscure location outside the W Hotel in Hollywood, Los Angeles to discuss a disagreement. 

Per CCTV footage of the alleged assault that was played in court, Rocky brandished and fired a gun.

Rocky’s lawyers, however, deny that it is their client who is seen in the video holding and firing the gun.

Superior Court Judge, ML Villar, therefore, only had to decide whether there was sufficient evidence for the case to go forward, not whether a crime had been committed.

Information available shows that the burden of proof is significantly lower for preliminary hearings like these.

Relli is also suing Rocky, claiming that after a verbal altercation, Mayers “pulled out a handgun and purposefully pointed it in the direction of him and fired multiple shots”.

Ephron was “struck by bullet projectile/fragments” in his left hand and required medical attention, according to the court papers.

He is seeking at least $25,000 (£20,000) in damages and up to 9 years imprisonment for Rocky if found guilty. 

In a previous report, Mayers was earlier officially charged with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm in connection with a shooting that occurred in Hollywood last November.

He was initially arrested in April and later released on bond in relation to this case.