Rapper A$AP Rocky (Rakim Mayers) opted against a plea deal in his Hollywood assault case, leading to the commencement of his trial in Los Angeles. The charges stem from an alleged shooting incident involving a former friend and collaborator in November 2021. Mayers, who maintains his innocence, is represented by Joe Tacopina, who asserts his client will be 'vindicated' at trial. The defense plans to argue that the gun allegedly used was a 'starter pistol' carried for security purposes.
A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, rejected a plea deal from prosecutors in his Hollywood assault case on Tuesday as the trial commenced in downtown Los Angeles. The trial comes over two years after Mayers was charged with firing shots at a former friend and collaborator in November 2021. Mayers, who is in a long-term relationship with singer and entrepreneur Rihanna and has two children with her, has maintained his innocence since his arrest in April 2022.
His defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, previously stated that Rihanna might attend part of the trial in support of Mayers. The defense team is planning to present witnesses who will claim the gun Mayers allegedly used that night was a 'starter pistol' carried as a prop for security reasons.The alleged victim in the case, fellow artist and childhood friend Terell Ephron, who previously performed as A$AP Relli, testified last year that bullets grazed his knuckles after the shooting incident in Hollywood on November 6, 2021. Ephron stated that he sought medical attention at a hospital after returning to New York City. Both Mayers and Ephron were once members of the hip-hop collective known as A$AP Mob.According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Mayers allegedly pointed a handgun at Ephron and fired twice in his direction during the confrontation. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) described Ephron's injuries as 'minor' at the time of Mayers' arrest in April 2022. The shooting occurred near Selma Avenue and Argyle Avenue in Hollywood, just a short distance from the iconic Hollywood and Vine intersection. Mayers, known for his early singles like 'Peso' and his breakthrough debut album 'Live. Love. A$AP,' was later charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He has pleaded not guilty and his attorney, Joe Tacopina, has expressed confidence that he will be 'vindicated' at trial. Tacopina stated, 'I want to get this done and over so he can start enjoying his family and move on. We're going to be quiet and we're going to try this (case) in a courtroom, and when we do, facts will come out that show that he's truly innocent and he's a victim in this case.
A$AP Rocky Assault Trial Hollywood Rapper A$AP Relli Joe Tacopina Plea Deal Starter Pistol
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