Pop star Rihanna was present in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday as her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, faced trial on felony assault charges.
The singer, who shares two children with the rapper, sat alongside his family as the court examined allegations that he pulled a gun on a former friend and fired multiple shots.
The trial, which began on January 24, will determine whether A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, will face penalties for the alleged 2021 shooting incident in Hollywood.
If convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.
He has pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers arguing that the firearm in question was a prop and that the accusations are financially motivated.
The case revolves around a confrontation between A$AP Rocky and his former friend, Terell Ephron—known as A$AP Relli—who is the prosecution’s key witness.
The two were once close, having attended high school together in New York and been part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective.
Their friendship deteriorated as A$AP Rocky’s career skyrocketed, culminating in a dispute that escalated into the alleged shooting in November 2021.
Authorities claim that on November 6, 2021, the day after an argument, Mr. Ephron met A$AP Rocky outside a Hollywood hotel, near the Walk of Fame.
Prosecutors allege that tensions quickly turned physical, leading A$AP Rocky to pull a gun from his waistband and threaten Mr. Ephron, stating, “I’ll kill you right now.”
Mr. Ephron reportedly provoked him to fire, but the rapper initially walked away.
Moments later, as Mr. Ephron continued to confront him, A$AP Rocky allegedly drew the gun again and fired multiple times, with one bullet reportedly grazing Mr. Ephron’s knuckles.
Surveillance footage played in court reportedly captures audio of gunfire but does not show the actual shooting.
Key points of contention in the case include the nature of the weapon, the police investigation, and Mr. Ephron’s reported injuries.
A$AP Rocky’s defense argues that the firearm authorities recovered was an unusable prop and that the alleged victim delayed reporting the incident to the police.
Mr. Ephron is said to have returned to the scene days later to collect shell casings, which he later presented to law enforcement.
Additionally, he only sought medical treatment after flying back to New York.
The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks, with a 12-member jury set to decide A$AP Rocky’s fate.
While Rihanna’s continued presence in court remains uncertain, her appearance has drawn significant media and fan attention.
Reports indicate she sat between A$AP Rocky’s mother and sister, while their children were not present.
To avoid publicity, Rihanna entered the courtroom through a private entrance typically used by judges.
During jury selection, prosecutors questioned potential jurors about Rihanna’s influence on their impartiality.
While many admitted familiarity with the singer—more so than with A$AP Rocky—jurors assured the court that her presence would not affect their judgment.
Meanwhile, her attendance reportedly sparked curiosity among jurors in a separate murder trial occurring in the same courthouse.
Although the trial is being televised, Rihanna has remained out of view of the cameras, observing the proceedings as the case unfolds.
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