Supply: Pool / Getty
The protection has concluded its closing arguments, and as soon as the prosecution finishes its rebuttal, the jury in A$AP Rocky’s trial can be tasked with figuring out his guilt or innocence.
The Folks of the State of California v. Rakim Mayers started on Jan. 24. Rocky, as he has been known as by the prosecution all through the trial, faces two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The costs stem from a 2021 altercation between Rocky and a former pal — Terell Ephron, also referred to as A$AP Relli. The 36-year-old rapper could possibly be sentenced to as much as 24 years in jail if convicted.
A$AP Rocky pleaded not responsible to all prices and turned down a plea deal that will have concerned 180 days in jail and three years probation.
The case has been a multitude from the very starting. There isn’t a bodily proof of a taking pictures — no gun, no bullet holes, no blood, or anything to recommend that what the prosecution says occurred came about.
From the LA Occasions:
Prosecutors stated the incident on Nov. 6, 2021, started when Terrell Ephron, aka ASAP Relli, went to satisfy up with Rocky to restore their crumbling relationship. The divide between the 2 had been exacerbated by Ephron’s mistaken perception that Rocky did not pay for an additional ASAP member’s funeral. Authorities allege Rocky confirmed up with two different members of ASAP Mob and a gun intent on settling their dispute with violence.
Video of the incident clearly captures Rocky holding a gun, however the footage of the particular taking pictures is grainy. There isn’t a forensic proof tying Mayers to the alleged assault, and an preliminary police canvass of the crime scene in response to a 911 name turned up no proof of a taking pictures, in keeping with LAPD officers.
It’s value noting that Rocky’s protection legal professional, Joe Tacopina, was as soon as a part of the authorized staff that represented Donald Trump throughout his legal hush-money trial in addition to for an attraction of the civil case introduced in opposition to Trump by author E. Jean Carroll.
Tacopina has not denied that Rocky had a gun on the night in query, however he maintains that it was a prop gun Rocky was carrying on the recommendation of his safety staff. In accordance with the LA Occasions, a number of witnesses corroborated this story in the course of the trial, saying Rocky started carrying the prop gun after he was attacked in a nightclub.
Tacopina has additionally introduced into query the actions of Ephron. Extra from the Occasions:
The one witness figuring out Rocky because the shooter is Ephron, who struggled throughout his cross-examination. Protection legal professional Joe Tacopina painted him as a “perjurer” who contacted police solely after retaining a civil lawyer to sue his former pal. Ephron claimed he recovered shell casings on the scene of the crime and turned them over to police two days later when he reported the taking pictures.
Rocky didn’t take the stand in his personal protection.
Singer, actress, and enterprise mogul Rihanna — Rocky’s companion and the mom of his two younger youngsters — confirmed up in court docket Thursday, bringing alongside the couple’s two younger sons, in keeping with AP.
The prosecution instructed jurors that they needed to put aside their emotions for Rocky, Rihanna, and their youngsters when making their willpower, suggesting that the presence of the youngsters was an try at manipulating the jury.
“They introduced in two cute youngsters yesterday for closing argument,” Los Angeles Deputy District Legal professional John Lewin stated. “They haven’t been right here another time. And it’s important to ask yourselves, why youngsters that age could be right here in a scenario like this?”
Lewin added, “You aren’t allowed to think about how this may have an effect on Rihanna and his children. We’re all chargeable for our personal actions on this planet.”
With no smoking gun, it will likely be as much as the 12 jurors to resolve whether or not or not the prosecution proved their case — a case that lacks any forensic proof to indicate {that a} taking pictures ever occurred.
SEE ALSO:
Issa Rae Cancels Bought-Out Kennedy Middle Occasion After Trump Is Appointed Chairman
Morris Chestnut And His Spouse Share Their Secret To Their Wholesome 28-12 months Marriage
A$AP Rocky’s Destiny Will Quickly Be In The Palms Of Jurors
was initially printed on
newsone.com