A$AP Rocky May Testify in His Own Defense as Assault Trial Nears Pivotal Moment

A$AP Rocky, the Grammy nominated hip-hop artist, may take the stand in his own defense on Tuesday as part of his ongoing trial over two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. His defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, informed a Los Angeles judge late Monday that Rocky could testify as early as Tuesday or the defense could choose to rest its case. Prosecutors have spent the night preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in the trial Rocky’s testimony.

Legally, Rocky is not obligated to testify, but doing so comes with significant risks. Criminal trials often involve grueling cross-examinations, which can be a make or break moment for a defendant.

 However, Tacopina mentioned that Rocky is eager to share his side of the story, adding that the hip-hop star "would love the opportunity" to testify.

The trial has drawn considerable attention not only because of the serious charges but also because of Rocky’s fame and his relationship with singer Rihanna. The couple, who share two young children, have been in the public eye throughout the proceedings, although Rihanna was not present in court on Monday. She has appeared sporadically in the past, most recently on Friday when she was seen leaving the courthouse with Rocky.

The charges stem from an incident in 2021 when Rocky allegedly fired two shots during a confrontation with Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, another member of the A$AP Mob. Rocky has claimed that the gun he fired was a starter pistol that only discharged blanks. His defense argues that he carried the weapon for security purposes after a stalker broke into his home.

On Monday, Rocky’s tour manager, Lou Levin, testified as the second witness from Rocky’s inner circle. He supported Rocky's claim, explaining that after the break-in, the idea of carrying a non-lethal weapon seemed like a reasonable precaution.

In a tense exchange, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin criticized Levin’s explanation of the magazine, calling it a fabrication. 

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