Pop star Rihanna appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday as her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, continued his trial on assault charges.
The singer, who shares two children with the rapper, sat in the courtroom with A$AP Rocky’s family as the trial delved into allegations that he pulled a gun out on his former friend and opened fire multiple times.
The trial started on Friday and will determine whether the rapper will face penalties on two charges of felony assault. He could face decades in prison.
A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyers have argued the weapon was a prop gun and his former friend is only after money.
On January 24, A$AP Rocky’s assault trial got underway in Los Angeles.
The rapper, whose true name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of two felonies of assault in connection with a gunshot in Hollywood in 2021.
Authorities claim that A$AP After a heated argument between Rocky and a former acquaintance descended into violence, the rapper pulled out a revolver and started shooting.
Terell Ephron, better known as A$AP Relli, is a fellow artist and a childhood buddy who is the victim in this case. He is the prosecutors’ most prominent witness.
They both belonged to the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob and had known each other since high school in New York.
Over time, their relationship deteriorated as A$AP Rocky’s fame and business grew.
All of this culminated in a dispute between the two on November 6, 2021.
This week, Mr. Ephron testified about their connection and the events leading up to the alleged shooting.
According to authorities, Mr. Ephron and Mr. Mayers met on November 6, 2021, one day after they had a disagreement.
About a block from the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, they first met outside a hotel in Hollywood.
According to the prosecution, things became physical when the two met. “I’ll kill you right now,” Mr. Mayers is accused of saying as he pulled a revolver from his belt and pointed it at Mr. Ephron.
According to court filings, Mr. Ephron instructed the rapper to discharge the firearm, but Mr. Mayers chose to walk away instead.
According to court filings, Mr. Ephron screamed at Mr. Mayers about their arguments while trailing behind.
That’s when prosecutors allege Mr Mayers pulled out the gun again and opened fire.
Court documents allege multiple bullets were fired, one of which is alleged to have grazed Mr Ephron’s knuckles.
Authorities say parts of the incident were captured on surveillance footage, including some footage that included audio of gunfire, though there is no video showing the shooting.
Some of this footage has been played in court already for jurors.