The high-profile trial of Grammy-nominated rapper ASAP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, is nearing its end as lawyers prepare to deliver their closing arguments on Thursday.
The case centers around allegations of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, with prosecutors claiming Rocky fired two shots at a former friend, now identified as ASAP Relli.
However, Rocky’s defense team argues that he fired blanks from a starter pistol, which they claim was a non-functional prop.
If convicted on both felony counts, Rocky faces up to 24 years in pr!son.
The trial has been marked by the testimony of various witnesses, including Relli, Rocky’s former friend and business associate.
Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron, has been a central figure in the case. He testified that he was grazed by one of the shots and that Rocky had been planning to harm him.
However, Rocky’s defense team has portrayed Relli as a dishonest and opportunistic individual. They argue that Relli has been motivated by a desire for money and has consistently lied about the events surrounding the shooting.
In a surprising twist, Rocky and his lawyers declined to have the rapper testify in his own defense. Instead, they relied on the testimony of other witnesses, including ASAP Twelvyy, a member of the ASAP Mob crew, who claimed that Relli had been the aggressor in the scuffle.
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The trial has also raised questions about the credibility of the evidence presented. Prosecutors have pointed out that video footage of the incident is not clear enough to determine whether Rocky fired blanks or live rounds.
In a bizarre twist, Rocky’s defense team has suggested that Rocky carried a starter pistol as a prop, and that everyone involved in the incident knew it. However, police who investigated the shooting found no physical evidence to support this claim.
As the trial enters its final stages, the prosecution will likely argue that Rocky’s defense is a desperate attempt to deflect blame. They will argue that Relli’s story is consistent and that the idea of the starter pistol is a preposterous lie coordinated by Rocky’s inner circle.
In the end, it will be up to the jury to decide whether Rocky is guilty of the alleged assault. If convicted, he could face a significant prison sentence, while his reputation and career will suffer from the fallout.
The trial has also been a public affair, with Rocky’s girlfriend and partner, the singer Rihanna, in attendance at various points throughout the proceedings.
