A$AP Rocky Declines to Testify in Felony Gun Assault Trial

The rapper faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted, with closing arguments set to begin Thursday in Los Angeles.

A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, opted not to testify in his defense, invoking his Fifth Amendment right during his felony assault trial in Los Angeles.
The rapper is accused of firing two shots at former friend A$AP Relli in a 2021 altercation, allegedly grazing Relli’s hand, though Rocky claims he only fired blanks from a prop gun.
Rocky’s tour manager testified that the gun was a non-lethal prop obtained during a 2021 music video shoot and later returned to the co-director, though its current whereabouts are unknown.
Prosecutors argue that the shooting involved a real firearm and allege that shell casings recovered by Relli match ammunition found in Rocky’s home, which the defense disputes.
If convicted on two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, Rocky could face a maximum sentence of 24 years, though such an outcome is considered unlikely.