A$AP Rocky trial nears verdict as closing arguments wrap, Rihanna attends with sons

A$AP Rocky’s trial heads to jury deliberations as closing arguments wrap, prosecutors claim he fired a real gun.

Closing arguments concluded Thursday in A$AP Rocky’s felony assault trial, with prosecutors and defense attorneys clashing over whether the rapper used a real firearm or a prop gun in a 2021 Hollywood altercation.

Prosecutor Paul Przelomiec told jurors the case hinges on one key question: “Was it a real gun or was it a fake gun?” He argued that Rocky, real name Rakim Athelaston Mayers, fired at former friend A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron) and should be convicted of two felony assault charges.

Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, countered that the gun was a movie prop that only fired blanks and accused Relli of lying for financial gain, referencing his civil lawsuit against Rocky.

Rihanna, Rocky’s longtime partner, attended the trial with their sons, RZA Athelston Mayers, 2, and Riot Rose Mayers, 1. The children were present in court during part of the proceedings, with Rihanna seen comforting them.

Despite no physical gun being presented as evidence, prosecutors dismissed the defense’s claim of a prop weapon as unbelievable, arguing it surfaced only at trial. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations Friday. If convicted, Rocky faces up to 24 years in prison.