Rihanna makes rare court appearance in support of A$AP Rocky at gun assault trial
The pop star, 36, who's been in a relationship with Rocky since 2020 and shares two children with him, joined the 'Sundress' artist's mother and sister at the downtown L.A. courthouse on Wednesday (January 29).
Before the trial began on January 21, Rocky's attorney noted that Rihanna could potentially make an appearance in support of the rapper, though it was unlikely because Rocky is protective and 'doesn't want her anywhere near this proceedings.'
'But that's a family decision they'll make,' lawyer Joe Tacopina said.
During the jury selection process, prosecutors questioned potential jurors about whether Rihanna's connection to the case would impact their decided verdict.
While most said that they had heard of Rihanna, with some even labeling themselves as fans, all of those selected assured that it would not taint their judgment.
Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, is accused of firing a gun at a former friend – Relli, born Terell Ephron – in a November 2021 incident. Should he be found guilty, he could face up to 24 years in prison.
The Grammy-winning rapper has pleaded not guilty to both counts of assault and declined a plea offer from prosecutors who recommended a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and 180 days in jail in exchange for a guilty plea.
On the first day of the trial, which is expected to last three weeks, Rocky's lawyer said he fired blank shots from a prop gun in order to protect his friend.
Jurors were shown CCTV, which a prosecutor argued made it clear the musician had fired a gun at Ephron outside a parking garage in Hollywood.
But Tacopina said in the defense opening statement that the footage is meaningless without the testimony of the accuser, Ephron, who he argued is motivated by 'jealousy, lies and greed.' He told the court: 'This case rises or falls on his credibility.'
Ephron is expected to continue testifying during Wednesday's trial. He took the stand on Tuesday, where he described the first part of the confrontation, and was on the verge of describing the alleged shooting itself when court ended for the day.
He said he and Rocky, members of the A$AP crew of creators at a New York high school, had been close but their relationship eroded after the latter rose to fame.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US Grammy winner Ciara becomes citizen of Benin under new slavery-descendants law
US singer Ciara has become one of the first public figures to be granted citizenship of Benin, under a new law offering nationality to the descendants of slaves. In an Instagram post the Grammy award-winner said she was "honoured", adding "thank you Benin for opening your arms and your heart to me". The citizenship scheme is part of an initiative by the small West African country to build ties with the African diaspora and boost cultural tourism. Ciara, known for R&B and pop hits such as Goodies and 1,2 Step, officially became a citizen at a ceremony in the city of Cotonou. "This act, which is symbolic, humane and historic, is not merely an administrative gesture. It is a gesture of the soul, a return to one's roots, a hand extended to those whom history, in its brutality, had torn from this land," the government said in a statement on Monday, following the ceremony. By enacting the My Afro Origins Law last year, Benin joined countries like Ghana and Guinea-Bissau in offering citizenship to people with an African ancestor who was taken from their homeland as part of the transatlantic slave trade. Descendants can apply to become a citizen via a recently launched website. Just last week, Benin appointed renowned American filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, a seasoned producer and author, as its ambassadors for African-Americans in the US. Benin's coastline is part of what was once known as the Slave Coast - a major departure point for enslaved Africans shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. Between 1580 and 1727, the Kingdom of Whydah, a major slave-trading centre located on what is now Benin's coast, is estimated to have exported more than a million Africans to the US, the Caribbean and Brazil. You may also be interested in: Stevie on the Wonder of becoming a Ghanaian citizen The African American who moved to Ghana 'to escape US racism' Idris Elba given Sierra Leone citizenship on first visit Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
17 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Ciara gains Beninese citizenship as country reckons with slave trade history
American singer Ciara has become a citizen of Benin under a new law that grants citizenship to the descendants of enslaved people with roots in Africa. The Grammy-winning star appeared alongside Beninese President Patrice Talon and Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou at a ceremony over the weekend in Cotonou, the west African country's largest city and seat of government.
Associated Press
17 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Trinidad and Tobago extends state of emergency as threats hatched in prison persist
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Legislators in Trinidad and Tobago have extended a state of emergency after the attorney general said the twin-island nation's prison system has been compromised. He blamed prison officers and even attorneys of helping inmates accused of plotting to kill high-ranking officials. Authorities recently moved high-risk prisoners to military bases as part of a recent crackdown on jailed gang leaders accused of using smuggled cellphones to plot a series of assassinations, robberies and kidnappings with help from criminal associates on the outside. Attorney General John Jeremie revealed to Parliament on Monday that some prison guards could openly be heard warning inmates when specialized police agents showed up to conduct prison raids, and he also accused some attorneys of illegally helping those behind bars. 'The system has been compromised, and it has been serving inmates as a protected criminal command center,' Jeremie said. The latest state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was extended for three months after authorities warned that the threat of a plot to kill key government officials and attack public institutions still exists. The initial emergency was declared on July 18 and was expected to last 15 days. However, the Caribbean nation's Parliament convened an extraordinary sitting on Monday to extend the measure until late October. 'We are here for an extension, we are here because the threat exists,' Saddam Hosein, legal affairs minister, said during the sitting. Prisoners who were deemed 'high risk' were moved to military bases in west Trinidad, but that didn't deter attempts to interfere with their detention, according to the attorney general. 'Those locations that they were removed to were very recently also infiltrated by two drones,' Jeremie said, adding the military thwarted those attempts. Meanwhile, the Prison Officers' Association, which represents prison guards, has condemned the accusations against the guards. It's the second state of emergency that the twin-island republic implements in a matter of months. Last December, authorities took similar action, citing concerns about gang violence. That state of emergency lasted until mid-April. While members of Parliament from both the government and the opposition unanimously voted in favor of extending the emergency, the main opposition questioned whether there had been any major arrests in the first 10 days of the measure being in place. Government officials noted that police have arrested more than 340 people and launched over 800 operations so far. The extended emergency was approved a day after Trinidad and Tobago marked 35 years since the failed coup by the Islamist group Jamaat-al-Muslimeen, which left 24 people dead. The attorney general referenced that insurrection, saying the present circumstances are 'not dissimilar from those at that time.'
