A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty in assault case as fight over defamation lawsuit w/ Tacopina looms
The rapper and partner of megastar Rihanna is represented by prominent lawyer Joe Tacopina, who promised reporters today that Rocky will be acquitted of both charges.
A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to two felonies today in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Legal name Rakim Mayers, 35-year-old rapper is due back in court on March 6 for a pre-trial conference for the first-degree assault with a firearm case, which accuses him of pointing a gun at his former friend and high school classmate Terell “A$AP Relli” Ephron. He’s also accused of firing shots at Relli, one of which grazed his knuckles on his right hand.
Rocky said little during the brief court appearance, first correcting the pronunciation of his first name (it’s ra-KIM, not ra-KEEM) and confirming his date of birth — Oct. 3, 1988 — before the judge read his charges. His two assault counts include an aggravating circumstances for personal use of a firearm.
Rocky waived a formal reading of his rights, which is standard, then pleaded not guilty to his charges, which also is standard at an arraignment.
He’s due back in court for a pre-trial conference on March 6. No trial date has been scheduled, but his lead lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told reporters he expects a trial around September.
Tacopina, who also is one of former President Donald Trump’s lawyers, said Rocky is “cool as a cucumber” and “will not consider a plea deal.”
Tacopina said Rocky’s fans have no reason to worry.
“I promised both times I’ve been here that he will be vindicated. I maintain that promise today,” Tacopina said.
Tacopina said he’s “not even a little bit” concerned about video evidence that shows Rocky with a gun in his hand and in a physical altercation with Relli.
Another video captures a second altercation in which Rocky is accused of firing shots.
The videos were among the evidence presented during his two-day preliminary hearing in November, which included testimony from Relli.
Judge M.L. Villar cited “the totality of the video and testimonial evidence from the complaining witness” when ruling enough evidence exists to support Mayer’s charges.
Tacopina is defending Rocky with Los Angeles lawyer Sara Caplan. The case is assigned to Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Karla D. Kerlin. The prosecutor is Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec.
Kerlin was appointed to the bench in 2008 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and is a graduate of the Southwestern University School of Law. She spent 18 years with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, including her last six months there as deputy in charge of the office.
Tacopina said Rocky will emerge from the case “stronger.”
“No one likes to have to go through this, but he will. And he’ll come out stronger. And we’ll come out on top of this because he’s not guilty, and the evidence will reveal that,” Tacopina said.
Tacopina said he “wants to get this over with this so he can start enjoying his family and move on.”
“We’re all good, guys,” Tacopina said.
Tacopina said he doesn’t want to reveal “what flame throwers I have that are going to be headed towards the head of certain witnesses.”
“It’s going to be quiet, and we’ll try the case in the courtroom. And when we do, facts will come out that shows he’s truly innocent, and that he is a victim in this case,” Tacopina said.
Relli is suing Mayers for assault in civil court. He’s also suing Tacopina and Mayers for defamation. He’s represented by Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez of Brown Rudnick LLP, the same lawyers who represented Johnny Depp in his defamation lawsuit with Amber Heard.
Right now, Chew and Vasquez are opposing Rocky’s motion to stay the case until his criminal case is resolved.
A nine-page opposition field Dec. 26 says Rocky’s and Tacopina’s “defamatory statements have resulted in substantial harm to [Relli’s] reputation and standing in the community.”
“Defendants’ defamatory statements have left he public with the impression that Plaintiff is a liar, an extortionist, a blackmailer, and a money grabber,” according to the filing. “Plaintiff has essentially been harmed twice— first by Moving Defendant’s assault and battery, and second by Defendants’ press campaign to malign and sully Plaintiff’s reputation.”
A hearing is scheduled Tuesday morning. (Update: The hearing was moved to late February.)
Judge Villar wasn’t interested in hearing about the civil suit during the preliminary hearing, but Tacopina said he doesn’t believe he can be prohibited from mentioning it to a jury. He says Relli is falsely accusing Rocky to try to get money, so the civil suit is key to his motivation.
“The law is very clear … Asking for millions of dollars is a motivating factor, and it goes to the credibility of anyone. So of course that will come in. That’s the law. It’s not really up for debate,” Tacopina said.
Tacopina said he hasn’t discussed with Rocky the possibility of conviction.
“There’s no reason to discuss the possibility of conviction. Facts will take us in a certain direction, and we’ll deal with whatever comes our way,” Tacopina said.
“We have a lot of evidence that you all don’t know know about, Tacopina continued. “I have a strong suspicion the prosecution doesn’t know about it, but they’re going to find out.”
Tacopina said Rocky is “ready to go through the process.”
“He’s a very strong character, and a very strong individual and really, honestly, one of the best guys I’ve ever met when it comes to being able to cope with this,” Tacopina said.
Here are all videos from the prelim.
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