In a dramatic turn of events, A$AP Rocky’s trial has taken center stage, with explosive testimony coming from his former friend and key witness, Terell Ephron, who goes by A$AP Relli. On Tuesday, Relli offered a glimpse into the intense and deteriorating relationship he shared with the hip-hop icon, now on trial for allegedly firing a gun at him in Hollywood back in November 2021. Their connection, once filled with brotherly bonds, had frayed over the years, culminating in a shocking and tense confrontation that Relli described as one of the most mind-blowing moments of his life.
Relli, who once ran in the same creative circles with Rocky — both being part of the famed A$AP crew — spoke candidly about how their friendship deteriorated as Rocky's fame skyrocketed. As he recounted his story in court, he spoke with a mix of disbelief and frustration. "I told him to use it. Because mentally I couldn’t believe it," Relli stated as he described the moment when Rocky allegedly pulled a gun on him. "I physically could not believe there was a gun in my face. That was the breaking point for me." As Relli’s words echoed in the courtroom, Rocky’s gaze remained fixed on him from the defense table, a tense and uncomfortable silence filling the air.
The day in court ended with a cliffhanger as Relli was about to explain the moment when Rocky allegedly fired the gun. With all eyes on the witness stand, it was clear that this trial would not only uncover the truth behind the shooting but also the dark undercurrent of broken friendships and betrayal that had been simmering for years. But the big question that hung in the air was whether Relli's testimony would hold up under the pressure of cross-examination from Rocky’s legal team.
A$AP Rocky, whose fame as a rapper and fashion mogul has made him a household name, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stem from allegations that he fired at Relli during an altercation that escalated dramatically on the streets of Hollywood. Relli, clearly aware of the disparity in their public profiles, told the jury, “He’s famous. I’m nobody.” His statement underscored the power dynamic that had defined much of their relationship — a friendship where Rocky’s rising fame had created a gap that Relli seemed to struggle with.
As the trial continued, Relli detailed the early days of his friendship with Rocky, which began when they were both part of the same high school crew in New York. The A$AP collective, which stands for "Always Strive and Prosper," was more than just a group of friends; it was a brotherhood of creatives and dreamers trying to make a name for themselves. Relli described how the pair used to be inseparable, spending time together every day — that is, until Rocky’s fame exploded, and things began to change. “It’s really hard having a relationship with Rocky, he lies a lot,” Relli confessed on the stand. He even gave Rocky a nickname — "Mr. Six Month Man" — because the two would only reconnect every six months due to the rapper's busy schedule.
Despite the growing distance between them, Relli emphasized that he never wanted to confront Rocky, especially not physically. “I mean, it’s always been like that,” he explained. “I’d never fight someone like Rocky because if you fight him, your career’s over. Literally over.” The irony wasn’t lost on him; the very man he once considered a brother had now become a force he had to reckon with, not just on a personal level, but professionally as well.
The tension between the two had been building for months, and the day before the alleged incident, Relli heard Rocky hurling insults at him through a speakerphone while riding in an SUV with a mutual friend. The words Rocky used were filled with hostility, and it didn’t take long for Relli to realize that a confrontation was imminent. On the morning of November 6, 2021, Relli received texts from Rocky saying, "Where you at? Let's get to it." The messages were charged with aggression, and Relli said he had a gut feeling that a fight or heated argument was on the horizon. Little did he know that the situation would escalate far beyond words.
When the two finally met near the W Hotel in Hollywood, it was clear that things were about to get physical. According to Relli, Rocky immediately started shouting at him from a distance, cursing him out before violently grabbing him. But what happened next took Relli completely by surprise. "When he stepped back, he pulled the semiautomatic handgun out of his waistband and pointed it closely at my head and stomach," Relli testified. Staring at the gun, Relli's reaction was one of complete shock. “What are you doing with a gun?” he asked, unable to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.
Relli's testimony painted a harrowing picture of the moment, but the court had yet to hear what happened next. Relli is expected to return to the stand on Wednesday, where he will describe the moment when the shots were allegedly fired. The defense, however, has already begun to argue that Relli was the aggressor, claiming that Rocky fired a "starter pistol" in an effort to break up a fight. The defense contends that the pistol, which only shoots blanks, was carried by Rocky for security purposes. But Relli insisted he had no knowledge of Rocky ever carrying a gun, much less a prop gun. “He’s got a lot of security,” Relli pointed out, further distancing his old friend from the idea that Rocky would ever use a blank-firing gun in such a dangerous confrontation.
To complicate matters, the defense revealed before the jury was brought in that they no longer have possession of the alleged prop gun. "Does the prop gun exist?" Judge Matthew Arnold asked, to which Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, confirmed, “The prop gun did exist. It does not now. We don’t have it.” The absence of the gun has raised eyebrows, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to an already murky case. Relli, who has also filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky, testified that he had never heard of a "starter pistol" and made it clear he didn't believe Rocky was carrying one that day.
Further complicating the prosecution’s case was the fact that there was no physical evidence of a shooting at the scene, something that was heavily highlighted by Rocky’s defense team during cross-examination. Sergeant Thomas Zizzo, the officer who responded to the scene, confirmed there were no signs of a shooting — no bullet holes, no blood, no shell casings. Yet two days later, Relli himself provided two shell casings to the police that he claimed to have found at the scene, even though seven officers had already searched the area and found nothing. The situation was beginning to look even more bizarre as details emerged.
Adding an element of intrigue, Rocky’s longtime partner, Rihanna, has stayed away from the trial, and her potential appearance remains up in the air. Rihanna, who shares two young children with Rocky, has not been present in court, and Rocky’s legal team has stated that while an appearance is possible, it’s unlikely.
As the trial unfolds, the world is left waiting on the edge of its seat. With high-profile personalities, intense personal drama, and a shooting incident that still lacks clear answers, this case is poised to captivate not just fans of A$AP Rocky but anyone following the twists and turns of Hollywood’s most shocking courtroom drama.
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