AssetID: 53229531
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: A$AP Rocky to stand trial in Hollywood shooting case
Caption: A$AP Rocky to stand trial in Hollywood shooting case. During a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles on Monday, Judge M.L. Villar ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the rapper, real name Rakim Mayers to stand trial on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The 35-year-old is accused of firing a handgun twice at his former friend and A$AP Mob member, A$AP Relli, after a heated discussion in Hollywood in November 2021. Rocky pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2022. Reacting to the judge's decision outside the courthouse, Rocky's attorney Joe Tacopina insisted his client will be "vindicated" during the trial, which is slated to begin on 8 January. ”We're not disappointed, not surprised, we expected to go to trial, we've been planning for trial all along. Rocky is going to be vindicated when all this is said and done, without question.” A$AP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, also filed a civil lawsuit against his former friend last year for alleged assault, battery, negligence, and emotional distress. He claimed Rocky lured him into an alley in Hollywood and "intentionally fired multiple shots" at him, with bullet fragments allegedly striking his hand. In September of this year, he also sued Rocky and Tacopina for defamation over comments the lawyer made about him in the press. At the time, Tacopina told TMZ that the legal action was "nothing more than a publicity stunt”. "I more than welcome this lawsuit especially because the resolution of the criminal case has not happened yet. This opens up this extortionist to depositions under oath now before the resolution of the criminal case.” THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
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