Globally known singer Rihanna’s boyfriend A$AP Rocky’s gun assault court trial has begun in Los Angeles.
According to People magazine, the 36-year-old rapper was accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at his pal and fellow artist A$AP Relli back in 2021.
Now, Rocky and his legal team have decided to finalize the legal matters after three years.
On Friday, January 24, the 36-year-old rap icon’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, opened his defensive statements by claiming that the firearm involved in the incident was nothing more than a “prop gun.”
The 58-year-old American attorney played footage at the beginning of the court proceedings, in which the father-of-two was seen holding a gun.
However, the lawyer stated that it was merely a replica firearm and harmless.
Tacopina also called Relli’s accusations “fraud and fabricated” and claimed the rapper filed the lawsuit merely to extract money from his client.
“It looks and sounds like a real gun, but for Relli, it was never about justice. It’s about a man seeking profit from a fabricated narrative. Rocky has nothing to hide here,” the celebrity lawyer added.
The plaintiff of the lawsuit, Relli, was not present at Friday’s legal trial.
However, Judge Mark S. Arnold granted Rocky’s request and ordered them to submit evidence of their verbal statement in the next court hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
A$AP Rocky’s girlfriend, Rihanna, was also absent from the latest proceedings.
The couple, who began dating in 2019, was last seen together on the red carpet at the UK Fashion Awards on December 2, 2024.
As of now, the Fenty Beauty founder has not commented on her partner’s ongoing legal matter.
