Relli endured an intense cross-examination from Rocky’s legal team, visibly growing irritated as he tried to defend his shifting narrative. His frustration reached a boiling point when he suddenly lashed out at Rocky right there in the courtroom.
Global superstar Rihanna, Rocky’s partner, was seated between his sister and mother during the trial. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Singer-rapper A$AP Rocky is standing trial in the Los Angeles court but this time, the biggest shock wasn’t from the testimony. It was the accuser’s courtroom outburst that left everyone shocked, including the judge. And, watching it all unfold from the audience? None other than global superstar Rihanna, Rocky’s partner, seated between his sister and mother. The rapper, born Rakim Athelston Mayers, is facing two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The accusations come from former friend A$AP Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron. He claims that in 2021, Rocky fired a gun at him during a heated confrontation.
Thursday’s proceedings reportedly saw Relli endure an intense cross-examination from Rocky’s legal team, visibly growing irritated as he tried to defend his shifting narrative. His frustration reached a boiling point when he suddenly lashed out at Rocky right there in the courtroom.
“You did this to yourself!” Relli shouted, prompting a sharp rebuke from Judge Mark Arnold, who immediately called for a recess and sternly instructed him, “Do not talk to the defendant!”
Adding to the courtroom spectacle, Rocky’s attorney presented old Instagram screenshots that painted a different picture from Relli’s initial claims. While he had testified that speaking out against Rocky had left him isolated, destroyed his business and wiped out his social media presence, the defence argued that his posts told another story, reports The Guardian.
Relli, however, stood firm. While he admitted that some details of his story may have shifted over the years, he insisted that the core of it remained the same. “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me and it was fired later,” Relli said.
In previous testimony, Relli had reportedly recounted that fateful November night in 2021. Tensions between him and Rocky had already been brewing and things came to a head on a Hollywood street. As their argument escalated, Rocky allegedly brandished a firearm before walking away. But when Relli pursued him, the rapper turned, lifted the gun and fired.
“He turned around and then it was like BOOM! The whole thing was like a movie, he kind of like pointed down and he shot the first shot.” Relli told the jury.
He described feeling a burning sensation on his hand, where he believed a bullet had grazed him. “I felt my hand hot. I was hit. Or I was grazed. I didn’t have a hole or anything,” he said.
Rocky’s defence reportedly argued that the shots weren’t even real, they were blanks from a starter pistol, used as a prop. According to them, Relli knew this all along, which is why he didn’t hesitate to keep walking toward Rocky.
Since the incident, Relli said his life has been turned upside down. The backlash for coming forward has been relentless, death threats, being ostracised as a “snitch,” and watching his budding music management career crumble.
“It’s been a living hell,” he admitted.
According to The Guardian, one of the most pivotal pieces of evidence presented was a text Relli sent to Rocky after the shooting, reading: “U try killing me.” Rocky’s response was immediate: “Bro, wt* is u talking bout why u tell ppl I shot at u.”
Relli then sent photos of shell casings and his injured hand, only for Rocky to dismiss his claims as fabrications, calling them “all type of nonsense” and accusing Relli of trying to “extort” him.
The judge made an important ruling Thursday morning, allowing Relli’s social media activity after the alleged incident to be scrutinised by the defence. His posts, which depict a seemingly lavish lifestyle, may become a key factor in how the jury perceives his credibility.
