Los Angeles – In an unfolding legal drama, rap artist ASAP Rocky, legally known as Rakim Mayers, stands accused of shooting Terrell Ephron, aka ASAP Relli, during a confrontation on a Hollywood street on November 6, 2021. Ephron, a founding member of the Harlem-based ASAP mob – an acronym for “Always Strive and Prosper” – had at one time been a close friend of Mayers.
The alleged incident, which could see Mayers facing up to 20 years if convicted, took a dramatic turn during opening arguments of his assault trial in Los Angeles. Mayers’ defense claims he possessed only a “prop gun,” incapable of firing live rounds and used in a recent music video shoot, making it impossible for him to have conducted the shooting.
Joe Tacopina, Mayers’ attorney, presented this narrative, suggesting Ephron fabricated evidence and capitalizing on this incident for financial gain, especially in the context of a concurrent civil lawsuit Ephron has filed against Mayers.
Complicating the defense’s strategy, prosecutors announced the submission of last-minute ballistic evidence from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division. The evidence reportedly ties the shell casings found at the scene to a 9mm handgun, potentially matching a subset of Glock firearms, which would conflict with the claim of the weapon being a mere prop.
Despite Tacopina’s appeals, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold rejected motions for delaying the opening arguments or restarting jury selection following the new evidence disclosure. Tacopina criticized the timing of the evidence delivery, suggesting it hampered Mayers’ right to a fair defense.
On the prosecution’s side, Deputy Dist. Atty. Paul Przelomiec highlighted the simplicity of the case, underscoring the altercation captured by surveillance footage revealing Mayers withdrawing a handgun from his waistband. While the video does not conclusively show Mayers firing the weapon, audible sounds resembling gunshots were recorded.
Przelomiec portrayed Mayers as the aggressor, catalyzed by a heated text exchange over financial misunderstandings related to the death of another ASAP crew member. The minor physical injuries Ephron sustained were underscored, supporting the assault charge despite their lack of severity.
In a more striking claim, investigators found a half-empty 9mm magazine during a 2022 search at Mayers’ residence, although the ammo did not match the shell casings Ephron allegedly recovered. This continues to leave a gap in the forensic connection between Mayers and the shooting scene.
Adding depth to the prosecution’s narrative, Przelomiec presented this altercation not just as a criminal act but as a personal betrayal, describing Ephron’s approach to the meeting with Mayers as an attempt to mend their deteriorating relationship, which unexpectedly escalated into violence.
The case heavily relies on Ephron’s testimony, with Tacopina disputing his credibility and accusing him of attempting to profit from the situation through extortionate claims, fueled by jealousy and greed.
As this high-profile trial proceeds, the details and contradictions presented call into question not only the truth about that November night but also the complexities of past relationships soured by fame and alleged betrayals.
This article was automatically generated by Open AI. The information including people, facts, and circumstances described may be inaccurate. For removal, retraction, or correction requests, please contact [email protected].