According to Rocky's defense lawyer, Joe Tacopina, the 'Praise the Lord' emcee is 'cool as a cucumber' ahead of the next hearing and is keen to get the trial 'over with' so he can focus on 'enjoying his family.'
- Jan 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - A$AP Rocky keeps maintaining his innocence. The "Praise the Lord" rapper reportedly has once again pleaded not guilty in the shooting case involving former fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli.
The 35-year-old pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm in a court hearing on Monday, January 8. The next hearing is set to take place on March 6.
According to Rocky's defense lawyer, Joe Tacopina, the emcee is "cool as a cucumber" ahead of the next hearing since he's "a very strong character, a very strong individual." The attorney added, per Rolling Stone report, that Rocky is keen to get the trial "over with" so he can focus on "enjoying his family."
Judge M.L. Villar ruled in November 2023 that Rocky had to face a trial this month for allegedly firing a semi-automatic handgun at Relli after a heated discussion in a November 6, 2021 incident in Hollywood. The judge determined that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.
In a surveillance video, prosecutors claimed they saw Rocky holding a gun during a physical altercation with Relli before two loud pops, which they believe the sound of Rocky shooting, were heard but not seen. The LAPD detective confirmed cops obtained the video during the course of their investigation.
Police body cam video was also shown in court and it shows at least 7 officers arriving at the scene of the alleged shooting and canvassing for evidence, but they never found the weapon. Meanwhile, the two shell casings Relli collected from the scene and turned in to police two days later had no fingerprints.
During a previous hearing, Relli claimed that Rocky put a gun to his stomach and threatened to kill him before pulling the trigger. Relli said Rocky shot his hand. He also said that he came back to the scene later that night and recovered the 9mm shells. Rocky's lawyers questioned him how he could easily find the casings when the cops could not.
