Overview

• A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, is on trial for two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a 2021 incident involving former collaborator Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli.
• The defense argues that the firearm in question was a starter pistol incapable of firing live ammunition, a claim prosecutors say was disclosed late in the legal process.
• Prosecutors allege Mayers fired multiple shots after a heated argument, while the defense maintains Ephron fabricated the incident as part of an extortion attempt.
• Mayers rejected a plea deal that included 180 days in jail, opting to fight charges that could lead to a maximum sentence of 24 years if convicted.
• The trial has drawn significant attention due to Mayers' celebrity status, his relationship with Rihanna, and the high-profile legal teams involved.