A former buddy who claims rapper A$AP Rocky shot a pistol at him in 2021 testified that no one told him the gun may be fake until two weeks ago, when the trial began.
LA — A former buddy who claims rapper A$AP Rocky shot a pistol at him in 2021 testified Monday that no one told him the gun may be fake until the trial began.
The trial’s major witness, A$AP Relli, testified after a long, uncomfortable stand in a Los Angeles courtroom that caused him to exclaim, “You’re annoying, bro!” and more at the lead defense attorney.
In its Monday re-direct questioning, the prosecution denied that Rocky carried a starter gun that only discharged blanks for security.
Relli warned Rocky, “You try killing me,” and that Rocky tried to take him from his daughter in messages following the event, according to Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec.
“Did he respond to your texts to say it was a fake gun?” The prosecutor questioned Relli, who replied that he had grazed his knuckles.
“No,” he said. He claimed the same about the two common friends that attended.
After three years and numerous days of testimony during a preliminary hearing in 2023, the jury finally learned how late the prop gun defense was disclosed.
Rihanna, Rocky’s longtime lover and mother of his two infant kids, was in the audience for the trial’s first three days but not in the courtroom.
Rocky has pled not guilty to two felony assaults using semiautomatic firearms that carry a 24-year jail sentence.
The rapper lost a Grammy Award to Kendrick Lamar a day earlier at a presentation two miles away; it was his third nomination.
Relli, who testified Wednesday, was evasive and hostile under Rocky’s lawyer’s cross-examination.
That culminated Monday when the defense asked its final questions before he was dismissed.
The individual in question is not currently on trial. He stated he had been dealing with this individual for five days. “I’ve looked stupid for five days.”
He defied the judge by making such claims.
Later, he yelled, “You think you’re slick!” at Tacopina. And I’m after you! You won’t trip me up anymore! You’re not smooth!
Last week, Relli furiously claimed that the defense videotaped phone conversations regarding collecting money from Rocky were phony. Defense counsel claims Relli merely reported the event to the police to get money from Rocky for his civil action..
The defense presented Wally Sajimi, the call recorder, as an out-of-order witness on Monday, and the jury heard the recordings.
One voice sounds like Relli’s and claims he’ll leave the criminal case when compensated.
“Once I walk away, when I get my cash, the case will get way weaker (Sajimi’s 2022 recording). It will be challenging for the DA to find me. Because I’ll be on another island.”
Sajimi testified that he produces websites for artists and businesses and has worked with Rocky and Relli, although he is closest to Rocky, whom he considers a buddy.
