A$AP Relli Clashes With A$AP Rocky’s Lawyer in Court: The A$AP Rocky trial took an unexpected twist on Thursday Jan. 30, 2025. Joe Tacopina, the rapper’s high-profile attorney, engaged in a heated questioning of A$AP Relli, who is pressing charges against the rapper. The intense courtroom scene revealed the deep rift between the two former friends. It also highlighted the intricacies of the November 2021 event that sparked this legal dispute. Let’s dive into what unfolded during the trial.
The Incident That Sparked the Trial
The legal battle originates from a clash between A$AP Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) and A$AP Relli (born Terell Ephron) in November 2021. Relli states that the encounter ended when Rocky pulled out a firearm and shot causing him injury. He asserts that he got hit twice, with one bullet scraping his knuckles.
Rocky’s lawyers challenge these claims. They argue that the gun in question was a starter pistol, not an actual weapon. They also maintain that Rocky fired to stop the fight from getting worse, not to hurt Relli.
The case becomes more complicated because police officers who came to the scene couldn’t find any physical proof of a shooting. Two days after, Relli showed up with shell casings saying he had collected them from where the incident took place.
The Cross-Examination: A Fiery Exchange
On January 30, 2025, Joe Tacopina started to cross-examine Relli. He looked into the supposed shooting and also pointed out contradictions in Relli’s statements and his life beyond the event.
Questioning Relli’s Reliability
Tacopina often challenged how truthful Relli was. He asked direct questions about Relli’s past claims and actions. At one point, the lawyer inquired:
“In November 2021, you told people that you were a millionaire is that correct?”
Relli gave a vague answer:
“Yes, no, I don’t know… I don’t know, it’s been so long. I can tell people whatever I want. If I’m a millionaire, not a millionaire, like, what? I’m not a millionaire, but what has that got to do with this case?”
Tacopina’s questions tried to make people doubt Relli’s honesty. He hinted that Relli might have stretched the truth or made up details to make his case against Rocky seem stronger.
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Emotional Outbursts in Court
As the cross-examination escalated, Relli became visibly frustrated. At one point, he told Tacopina we were trying to make him seem as if he resented Rocky:
“You trying to make me look like I have some type of animosity toward this dude — I don’t,” Relli said. “I never did. To this day, I don’t.”
The emotional exchange led the judge to intervene and explain to Relli how to behave in a courtroom. Clips of the hearing quickly made their way online, capturing both the tension and raw emotion on display in the courtroom.
The Testimony: What Relli Said About the Shooting
When A$AP Relli took the stand on January 28, 2025, he told the jury what he claims happened before the alleged shooting. He recounted how Rocky’s friendship had soured as the latter’s career took off, leaving members of the A$AP Mob, including himself, feeling betrayed.
On the day of the alleged crime, Relli said he met Rocky (and two other members of the A$AP crew) outside a parking garage across from the W Hotel in Hollywood. Relli, said Rocky was cussing him out even before they got to one another.
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The exchange turned into a tussle, as Relli dared Rocky to pull a gun. After walking away to consult with an assistant on whether he should engage with the rapper further, Relli said, he followed Rocky and called out to him, which prompted the rapper to turn around, pull out a gun and fire — allegedly aiming downward.
In the face of inconsistencies in his story over the years, Relli insisted that the essential details never faltered;
“A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later.”
Rocky’s Defense: Starter Pistol and No Physical Evidence
Rocky’s defense team has consistently argued that the firearm used in the incident was a starter pistol , incapable of causing serious harm. They also pointed out that responding officers found no physical evidence of a shooting at the scene.
Furthermore, Relli admitted during the trial that he deleted several text messages from his phone before going to the police. These texts reportedly showed a more confrontational side of Relli, raising questions about his motives and behavior leading up to the incident.
Potential Consequences for Rocky
If convicted, A$AP Rocky faces up to 24 years in prison on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The stakes are incredibly high, especially given Rocky’s personal life—he shares two children with girlfriend Rihanna , who was present in court alongside Rocky’s mother and sister.
Last week, Rocky declined a plea deal that would have resulted in 180 days in county jail , three years of probation, and a seven-year suspended prison sentence. His decision to fight the charges underscores his confidence in his defense but also increases the risks if the jury rules against him.