Rihanna And A$AP Rocky Step Out As His Trial Unfolds

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky made a public appearance in Los Angeles on January 28, enjoying a date night as Rocky faces serious legal battles. The couple, both 36, looked stylish and composed — Rihanna rocked a denim-on-denim look, layered with a black leather jacket and thick-rimmed glasses, while Rocky sported a sleek khaki trench coat over a collared shirt, tie, and slacks, complete with sunglasses.

But behind the scenes, Rocky’s reality is much more intense. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, is currently on trial for allegedly shooting A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron) with a semiautomatic handgun in November 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges for assault with a firearm.

 The incident reportedly stemmed from a heated argument, during which Rocky allegedly pointed the gun at Relli and fired twice, causing minor injuries to his left hand. He was arrested at LAX the following April but released on bail. Relli later filed a civil suit in August 2022, citing assault, battery, and emotional distress. Rocky has denied all allegations.

In January 2024, Rocky declined a plea deal that included 180 days in jail and a suspended seven-year sentence with three years of probation. Instead, he chose to fight the charges in court, opting for a jury trial. The trial, originally scheduled for October 2024, was delayed twice due to scheduling conflicts before finally beginning on January 24.

During opening statements, Deputy District Attorney Paul B. Przelomiec told the jury that the case is straightforward. “The defense will present an alternative explanation… but we ask that you do not leave your common sense at the door,” he said.

Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, fired back, claiming Relli is a “fraud” who fabricated the entire story to get money from Rocky. According to Tacopina, surveillance footage shown in court proves Rocky had a prop gun, which was only meant for intimidation and never fired. “For Relli, it was never about justice… it’s about a man seeking a profit from a fabricated narrative. Rocky has nothing to hide here,” Tacopina argued. 

As the trial continues, Rihanna is expected to show her support for Rocky in court on January 29. If convicted, Rocky could face up to 24 years in prison.