A$AP Rocky Faces 24 Years in Prison as Assault Trial Begins

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The assault trial of Grammy-nominated rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, began Friday in Los Angeles with opening statements and testimony from key witnesses, including an LAPD sergeant and the alleged victim. The rapper faces two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a November 2021 altercation near a Hollywood hotel.

Mayers, 36, is accused of firing a handgun at Terell Ephron, also known as Relli, a former member of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. The incident allegedly occurred after a heated argument between the two childhood friends. Mayers, who turned down a plea deal that would have required 180 days in jail, now faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted.

During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Paul B. Przelomiec described the case as straightforward, presenting video evidence and text messages exchanged between Mayers and Ephron. “This is not a complicated case,” Przelomiec told the jury. “The defense will turn in an alternative explanation to what happened that night… we ask that you do not leave your common sense at the door.”

Mayers’ defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued that Ephron fabricated the story for financial gain, calling the case an “attempt at extortion.” Tacopina also claimed the gun seen in surveillance footage was a prop, used to scare off potential attackers. “For Relli, it was never about justice… it’s about a man seeking a profit from a fabricated narrative,” Tacopina said.

LAPD Sergeant Zizzo, son of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Jayne, testified about responding to the scene in November 2021. He acknowledged that no shell casings were found initially, though Ephron later claimed to have retrieved two 9mm casings. The prosecution submitted new evidence suggesting the casings matched a Glock model 40 and 43, which Tacopina argued was unfair to the defense.

The trial, delayed from its original November 2024 date due to scheduling conflicts, is expected to last three weeks. Mayers, who shares two children with singer Rihanna, has denied all allegations and remains free on bail. The case continues Tuesday, Jan. 28, with further testimony and evidence expected to shape the outcome.