A$AP Rocky Trial Brings Clashing Closing Arguments Over Gun as Rihanna Brings Sons To Court

With Rihanna and their two young children present in the courtroom, the high-stakes trial of A$AP Rocky reached a pivotal moment on Thursday as the prosecution delivered its closing arguments. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, is facing serious charges stemming from a 2021 incident in which he is accused of firing a weapon at a former friend on a Hollywood street.

The case has drawn widespread attention, not only because of Rocky’s celebrity status but also due to the high-profile presence of Rihanna, his longtime partner, and their children.During his final argument,

 Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec pressed the jury to focus on what he deemed the most crucial question of the case: “Was it a real gun or a fake one?”

 He asserted that there was no dispute over the fact that a gun was fired, making the nature of the weapon the central issue at hand. The prosecution maintained that Rocky fired a real, semiautomatic firearm and should therefore be found guilty of two felony counts of assault.

The defense, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, countered by asserting that the gun in question was merely a prop from Rocky’s music video for “DMB,” which featured Rihanna. Tacopina described the key prosecution witness, A$AP Relli, as an unreliable and deceptive individual who repeatedly committed perjury during his testimony. He further argued that Relli’s injuries, which included minor scrapes on his knuckles, were inconsistent with a real gunshot wound.

As the trial neared its conclusion, Rihanna’s courtroom appearance with their two sons, 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers, added an emotional element. The children, dressed in suits, could be heard making noises during the proceedings, prompting Rihanna to quietly comfort them with a toy. During a recess, Rocky was seen carrying his younger son down the hall, a moment that humanized the high-profile defendant.

As the case heads toward a verdict, all eyes remain on the jury’s decision, which could have major consequences for A$AP Rocky’s future.