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A$AP Rocky’s Assault Trial Begins: Opening Statements Heard in Los Angeles

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A$AP Rocky's Assault Trial Begins: Opening Statements Heard in Los Angeles

The high-profile trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, commenced in Los Angeles on Friday. The artist faces two felony assault charges stemming from a 2021 shooting incident near a Hollywood hotel. If convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.

The incident, which occurred on November 6, 2021, involves Terell Ephron, a fellow artist, childhood friend, and former member of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. Prosecutors allege that a heated argument between the two escalated, with Mayers pulling out a firearm in a threatening manner before firing twice in Ephron’s direction. Ephron sustained minor injuries, claiming bullets grazed his knuckles, leading him to seek medical treatment after returning to New York.

Mayers, however, has pleaded not guilty, maintaining that the weapon involved was a “prop gun” incapable of firing live ammunition. His defense team has questioned the validity of the evidence and the delay in Ephron’s reporting of the incident.

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A jury comprising seven women and five men was selected earlier this week. The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks, during which both sides will present evidence and testimonies to support their claims.

Mayers’ attorneys have raised concerns about the investigation, arguing that Ephron waited two days to report the incident and returned to the scene himself to gather shell casings, which he later presented to the police. Authorities reportedly found no shell casings or the alleged firearm at the scene during their initial investigation.

Additionally, the defense has cast doubt on the nature of Ephron’s injury, suggesting it could have been caused by a punch rather than gunfire.

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This trial comes at a pivotal time for the Grammy-nominated rapper and fashion mogul, who has two children with global superstar Rihanna. In May, he is set to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala alongside Anna Wintour, Pharrell Williams, LeBron James, and Lewis Hamilton. He is also scheduled to appear in Spike Lee’s upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest with Denzel Washington.

Mayers previously faced legal trouble in 2019, receiving a two-year suspended sentence for his involvement in a street brawl in Stockholm.

As opening statements begin, the trial marks a significant moment in A$AP Rocky’s career and personal life. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, emphasized the need to resolve the case swiftly. “It’s been something that’s been hanging over Rocky’s head, and Rihanna’s and their family’s heads, for a while. We’re ready to get this behind him,” Tacopina said.

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Bodycam Footage of Justin Timberlake’s Drink-Driving Arrest Released

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Bodycam Footage of Justin Timberlake’s Drink-Driving Arrest Released

Police bodycam footage capturing Justin Timberlake’s 2024 drink-driving arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, has been made public following a legal dispute over its release.

The singer had initially taken legal action against the village to block the footage from being disclosed, arguing it would harm his reputation. However, a settlement was eventually reached, allowing authorities to release the video on Friday with certain redactions.

Timberlake was arrested in June 2024 after officers pulled him over for running a stop sign and veering onto the wrong side of the road. He was originally charged with driving while intoxicated but later pleaded guilty to a reduced offence of driving while impaired.

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The newly released footage—spanning more than eight hours—includes scenes from the roadside stop as well as inside the police station. In one clip, an officer approaches Timberlake’s vehicle and questions him about his driving. The singer apologises and explains he is in town while on a world tour, at one point identifying himself to the officer.

Police documents cited in the case noted that Timberlake had “bloodshot and glassy” eyes and that a strong smell of alcohol was detected on his breath. The video also shows him undergoing field sobriety tests, including walking in a straight line and tracking an officer’s hand with his eyes.

During the tests, Timberlake appears unsteady at times and declines to take a breathalyser test. He tells officers he feels nervous and remarks on the difficulty of the exercises.

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The footage ends with officers placing him in handcuffs and escorting him into a patrol car, as a companion questions the arrest and appeals to the officers.

A judge later ruled that releasing the footage did not violate privacy laws, clearing the way for its publication. Under the terms of his plea, Timberlake was ordered to pay a fine, complete community service, and issue a public safety message.

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Kanye West Ordered to Pay $140,000 After Jury Rules in Malibu Mansion Renovation Dispute

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Kanye West Ordered to Pay $140,000 After Jury Rules in Malibu Mansion Renovation Dispute

A jury has ordered US rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, to pay $140,000 (£104,415) to a handyman who sued him over unpaid work linked to renovations at the artist’s beachfront mansion in Malibu, California.

The verdict was delivered in a trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court after handyman Tony Saxon accused the rapper of failing to properly compensate him and dismissing him unjustly during construction work at the property.

Saxon had originally sought $1.7m (£1.267m) in damages. However, the jury on Wednesday awarded him $140,000 along with attorney and court fees.

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West’s legal team argued during the trial that Saxon was an unlicensed contractor and claimed he had damaged the property, which they described as an “architectural gem.”

The court proceedings included testimony from both West and his wife, Bianca Censori, who spoke about the renovation work carried out at the oceanfront home.

Saxon first filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions and wrongful termination. He also sought compensation for medical expenses after claiming he suffered neck and back injuries while working at the residence.

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According to Saxon’s testimony, West had agreed to pay him $20,000 (£14,916) per week for his work. However, he told the court he received only one payment of $20,000 and an additional $100,000 (£74,582) intended for construction costs.

Saxon also claimed that the rapper imposed unusual working demands, including allegedly telling him he could not leave the property. He further testified that West once woke him at about 03:00 local time to question why he was not working.

During the trial, jurors were shown a photograph of a small mattress placed on a concrete floor, which Saxon said he slept on while staying at the Malibu property.

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The beachside mansion, purchased by West in 2021 for approximately $57m (£40.27m), became the focus of the dispute as renovation work progressed at the high-profile residence.

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Woman Arrested After Gunfire Strikes Rihanna’s Beverly Hills Mansion

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Woman Arrested After Gunfire Strikes Rihanna’s Beverly Hills Mansion

A 35-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after gunfire was directed at the Beverly Hills home of global pop star Rihanna, according to police in Los Angeles.

Authorities identified the suspect as Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, who is currently being held with bail set at $10.2m (£7.6m). Officers responded to reports of gunfire at the singer’s mansion in Beverly Hills at about 13:15 local time (21:15 GMT) on Sunday.

According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, the suspect allegedly fired multiple shots from a vehicle using an AR-15-style rifle toward the property.

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A law enforcement source told the newspaper that Rihanna was inside the house at the time of the shooting, but fortunately no one was injured in the incident. Police have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack.

Investigators later located the suspect’s white Tesla roughly eight miles (12km) away at the Sherman Oaks Galleria shopping centre, where Ortiz was taken into custody.

Authorities said the suspect is originally from Orlando, Florida, according to reports from a Fox News affiliate in Tampa.

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Rihanna, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, recently welcomed her third child. In September last year, the Barbados-born singer gave birth to a daughter, Rocki, with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky.

The couple also share two sons, Riot and RZA. They publicly revealed Rihanna’s third pregnancy during the 2025 Met Gala.

Earlier that same year, A$AP Rocky was found not guilty in a trial where he had been accused of firing a gun at a former friend. Rihanna attended court proceedings during the case and even brought the couple’s two sons with her.

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The singer first rose to international fame in the early 2000s with hit songs such as Pon de Replay and Umbrella.

A nine-time Grammy Awards winner, Rihanna recently marked 20 years since the release of her debut album. Beyond music, she has built a successful business empire, including the cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty and a popular lingerie line.

According to Forbes, the 37-year-old star’s net worth is estimated to exceed $1bn, making her one of the wealthiest entertainers in the world.

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