Prosecutor for A$AP Rocky Announces Plans for Civil Lawsuit: “We Still Stand By the Merits of Our Claims”

ACCUSED AP Rocky’s Lawsuit Update

The man who accused A.P. Rocky of firing a semi-automatic pistol has stated he will pursue a civil lawsuit, despite the rapper being declared innocent in court earlier this month.

Trial Outcome and Future Proceedings

After nearly a month-long trial in Los Angeles, A.P. Rocky was acquitted by all jurors after being charged with allegedly shooting his former friend, AP Relli, in Hollywood in 2021.

Rocky faced up to 24 years in prison after rejecting a plea deal that would have resulted in 180 days of incarceration.

Now, attorney Terlla Efron has appeared in a court session in downtown Los Angeles, confirming that AP Relli is not dropping the civil lawsuit for battery filed against Rocky in August 2022. The judge lifted a stay on the civil case and scheduled a trial date for January 12, 2026.

“We intend to continue the trial in this case,” Efron’s attorney, Melissa Mikail, told the court. “The standard in a criminal case is much higher than the preponderance of evidence standard in civil matters. We still believe our claims have merit and intend to pursue them fully.”

Conversely, Rocky’s civil attorney James Sargent contended that the claims in Efron’s lawsuit are unfounded. “My position is that there are no grounds for these claims. Mr. Efron testified during the criminal case, and the jury’s verdict reflects their assessment of that evidence,” Sargent stated before Judge William Fahi of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Sargent later expressed confidence in an article by Rolling Stone, asserting that he believes Rocky will be vindicated again. “The allegations Efron raises relate to the same incident that the jury wholly rejected,” he mentioned. “Mr. Efron testified, the jury heard this testimony, and thus rendered a complete acquittal. We anticipate a similar outcome for Mr. Mayers in this matter.”

Sargent confirmed that Rocky would not entertain any financial settlement proposals. “We are looking forward to a complete acquittal,” he stated. “The plaintiff should realistically assess the criminal case outcome and reconsider their approach.”

Details of the Incident

In the lawsuit, Efron claims that Rocky drew a pistol and fired it during a verbal altercation at the intersection of Selm Avenue and Vista Mar Avenue on November 6, 2021. During the criminal trial, Efron testified that he felt a burning sensation on his left hand and believed he had been struck by a bullet. However, during cross-examination, he became combative when faced with claims that he had fabricated details.

Rocky has always maintained his innocence. His lawyer, Joseph Takopina, stated that the rapper admitted to pulling the trigger on a firearm he possessed that night, asserting that he fired “two warning shots” with a “starter gun” to diffuse a confrontation involving Relli and another member of their team, A$AP Illz (real name Illija Jlanger).

He further noted that the firearm used that night was a prop from a music video shot months earlier with Rihanna, emphasizing that no live ammunition was discharged from the weapon.

A pivotal moment in the trial, reported by Variety, revealed that Efron admitted he was involved in a shooting incident two weeks prior to the alleged event with Rocky. This enabled Mayers’ legal team to argue that the shell casings found at the crime scene were unconnected to him.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before concluding that the evidence was insufficient to convict Rocky.

Throughout the criminal proceedings, it was reported that Efron sought $30 million from Mayers to avoid a public trial. Recordings emerged in which Efron told a friend he would flee to a tropical island and avoid testifying in the criminal case if he received a payment.

The next civil court date is scheduled for May 28.

Meanwhile, Rocky’s attorney Joe Takopina refuted claims that Rihanna brought their two children to court as a “gimmick” to sway jury sentiment. “It was significant, given this was the last day of the trial… She brought them because it could have been the last time he sees his children for a decade or more,” Takopina asserted. “That’s why she came. The prosecution made a big deal out of it in their summation, which I believe was a critical mistake.”

“He did not want her there. He defended her strongly… But when she called me, she was adamant: ‘Joe, wild horses wouldn’t keep me away, so let him know I’ll be there to support him.’”