Rihanna made a courtroom appearance on Thursday (Feb. 13) with her and A$AP Rocky’s two children, RZA, 2, and Riot, 1. The global superstar attended closing arguments in the rapper’s shooting trial where he faces up to 24 years if convicted.
The Anti singer arrived in a black Escalade, carrying RZA in her arms while another individual held Riot. The fashion killa wore a black leather coat and over-the-calf python-print boots, with multiple umbrellas covering her from the rain.
This marked the first time she has brought their children to the trial, although she has attended multiple times since proceedings began on Jan. 24.
Rocky faces two felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm from a November 2021 altercation with former friend A$AP Relli. Relli alleged that Rocky confronted him outside a Hollywood parking garage, threatening him at gunpoint.
“I’ll kill you right now,” Relli claimed Rocky told him while pointing the gun at his stomach. He further testified that Rocky then turned away and fired, with the bullet grazing his left hand. Relli sought medical attention for injured knuckles at a New York hospital days later. A$AP Rocky has consistently denied these accusations.
In a dramatic turn on Friday, Rocky’s longtime friend and collaborator A$AP Twelvyy took the stand, asserting that the gun in question was merely a prop. “He walked around with a prop, like a starter pistol. I seen it on several occasions,” Twelvyy testified adding that Relli was well aware the weapon wasn’t real.
“He told him to shoot that fake-a** gun,” Twelvyy stated under questioning from the defense. However, the prosecutor countered. “There is literally no evidence of a prop gun,” the prosecutor said. Tacopina objected, asserting that “there’s definitely a lot less evidence of a real gun.”
During cross-examination, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin asked whether Rocky and Rihanna’s influence could affect Twelvyy’s career if he contradicted their narrative.
“It’s your testimony that even if the defendant and his significant other Rihanna were upset with you, they would have no ability to impact your career whatsoever?” Lewin asked. Twelvyy dismissed the idea, replying, “I’m an artist, I could start a new career tomorrow. I could be a painter.”
Rocky chose not to testify during the trial.
Leave a comment