A$AP Rocky is set to face trial on felony charges for allegedly shooting at his former friend and collaborator A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron) in November 2021.
During a preliminary hearing, Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, citing testimony and a new video presented by prosecutors. The new footage reportedly captured the neighborhood and recorded two loud pops at the time of the alleged shooting, showing Rocky near the scene and altering his pace as he passed by buildings.
Judge Villar acknowledged the absence of a clear shooting in the video but noted the sound of two shots in another section. She also considered Relli’s testimony, where he claimed that the shots fired by Rocky grazed his left knuckles. Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, cross-examined Los Angeles Police Department Detective Frank Flores, the sole witness at the preliminary hearing, revealing that no weapons were recovered and no fingerprints were found on the bullet casings provided by Relli.
Rocky is scheduled to return to court on January 8, 2024, for his re-arraignment. Tacopina expressed confidence in Rocky’s defense, stating that the trial would be different and suggested that Rocky might testify. He also hinted at undisclosed evidence that would be “devastating.”
In other music news, RZA discussed the 30th anniversary of Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Chambers in an interview with Hypebeast, sharing a collection of previously unpublished images.
