Rihanna Observes A$AP Rocky Trial as Key Witness Testifies

The trial of rapper A$AP Rocky continued Thursday, with a key witness taking the stand amidst the presence of his partner, global music icon Rihanna, The Associated Press reports.

Rihanna, mother of Rocky’s two children, attended the proceedings for a second day, observing quietly from the gallery, seated between Rocky’s sister and mother.

The day’s focus centered on the cross-examination of A$AP Relli, a former friend of the rapper, who is alleging Rocky fired a gun at him in 2021. Relli’s testimony followed his initial claims from the previous day where he described a confrontation in Hollywood, stating that Rocky pointed a gun at him and then fired it, causing a graze wound to his hand.

Relli became visibly agitated and combative during questioning from defense attorney Joe Tacopina, leading to a recess where the judge and lawyers instructed him on appropriate courtroom conduct. He directly addressed Rocky, shouting “You did this to yourself!”, prompting a stern reprimand from Judge Mark Arnold.

Tacopina presented Relli’s Instagram posts, attempting to contradict claims that he had always held amicable feelings towards Rocky and that his social media presence had vanished after the incident, leaving him in financial ruin. Relli responded by stating he was already receiving death threats due to the case, and accused the defense of “putting my whole life out there”.

Relli described the night of the alleged shooting in 2021, saying that after he and Rocky were involved in a physical altercation, Rocky initially pointed a gun at him, and again fired at him as he was walking away. Relli said he felt a burning sensation on his hand from a graze by a bullet. He stated he did not see a second shot being fired.

Rocky’s defense argues that the shots fired were blanks from a starter pistol. Relli disputed this, asserting that he knew it was a real gun, evidenced by his injured hand. He said he retrieved two shell casings from the scene roughly an hour after the incident, whereas initial police reports did not find any.

Texts between the men were presented, revealing Relli accusing Rocky of trying to kill him. Rocky denied the allegation, stating Relli was making up “nonsense” and trying to extort him.

Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted on the felony assault charges. Rihanna’s presence at the trial is notable, as she quietly watched the proceedings, sometimes moving her tortoiseshell glasses from her head to her face. The couple’s relationship began after they collaborated on music and officially became a couple in 2020. They share two sons.