Law&Crime Sidebar - 20 Explosive Moments in A$AP Rocky’s Assault Trial

Episode Date: February 17, 2025

The jury in the Los Angeles trial of Rakim Mayers, better known as A$AP Rocky, will decide whether the rapper is guilty of assault for allegedly firing a gun at former friend and rap collective member A$AP Relli. Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber has a look at some of the most impactful moments from days of testimony.PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: PDS Debt is offering a free debt analysis. Make this the year you take control of your debt. It only takes thirty seconds. Get yours at https://PDSDebt.com/sidebar. HOST:Jesse Weber: https://twitter.com/jessecordweberLAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION:YouTube Management - Bobby SzokeVideo Editing - Michael Deininger, Christina O'Shea & Christina FalconeScript Writing & Producing - Savannah Williamson & Juliana BattagliaGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSocial Media Management - Vanessa BeinSTAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3yWhere To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletterRead Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2IqoLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't let your fears take hold of you as you dive into this addictive series. Love thrillers with a paranormal twist? The entire Oracle trilogy is available on Audible. Listen now on Audible. I was willing to die for my respect at this point. I don't care. You get what I'm saying? Like, if this is what you want to do, I still have my dignity. You know how you think you're slick. You're not going to take trucking me up. This case is about one man's jealousy lies and greed. That man is not Rocky. Did Mr. Mayors, the man at the table, did he use a real gun or did he use a fake gun? As the jury begins deliberations in the trial of ASAP Rocky, all eyes, all focuses on one question that could determine his fate. Did he shoot

Torel Ephron, his former friend during a confrontation out in L.A. in November of 2021. Rocky has been accused of firing a gun at Mr. Efron, but the defense insists this was a fake gun that could only fire blanks. Now, after weeks of explosive testimony, we're going to break down the key moments from this very high profile and very high stakes trial. Welcome to Sidebar. Presented by Law and Crime, I'm Jesse Weber. As the jury prepares to deliberate in the trial of ASAP Rocky, all eyes are on the key question that, could determine everything. Was the gun that he allegedly wielded during a November 2021 Hollywood confrontation, was it real? Or was it rather just a prop gun that he apparently

got from a music video shoot? That's going to be the key question. This three-week trial unfolding in a Los Angeles courtroom for all of us to see has been a high-stakes battle with ASAP Rocky facing serious charges that could land him in prison for reportedly up to eight years. So these charges, they stem from a November 6th, 2021 incident outside of the W Hotel in Hollywood, where Rocky allegedly fired gunshots at his former friend, Terrell Rely Ephron. Now, prosecutors argue that Rocky fired two shots at Ephron, which led to his arrest, two charges of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. Rocky, though, this is interesting, turned down a plea agreement. It would have resulted in a 180-day jail sentence, opting instead,

to plead not guilty, take this to trial, face the charges in court. Now, the defense, led by attorney Joe Takapina, has argued that Rocky's involvement in this incident has been grossly exaggerated, claiming that Efron has fabricated what really went down. Takapina maintains that the weapon in question wasn't even a real gun, but rather a prop gun that was used for a music video that Rocky filmed with his partner, pop star Rihanna. Now, the authenticity of that weapon, to be clear, is probably the whole case, whether he's guilty or not guilty.

And much of the courtroom drama centered around proving whether it was a real gun or not. So while you have a video that seems to capture Rocky holding a gun, the grainy footage is just that. It's grainy. It's impossible to confirm its authenticity, the gun's authenticity. And by the way, there was no real forensic evidence directly linking Rocky to the alleged shooting. And police initially found no shell casings or other physical evidence at the scene. However, Mr. Efron, the only witness to identify Rocky as the shooter, came under intense scrutiny during a lengthy cross-examination. The defense paid in him as a liar and an instigator who was motivated by financial gain.

And it's all about whether or not he was looking for a payday. Was he contacting a civil lawyer? Did he want to file a lawsuit before he contacted and cooperated with police? And also, by the way, talking about the shell casings, he apparently was the one who found them. So he was the one who had the shell casings, went to the seat. allegedly found them and then turned him over to law enforcement. Obviously, that raises doubts about his credibility. Quick sidebar from sidebar.

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And here's the best part. There's no minimum credit score required. Yeah, so whether your credit score is bad or fair, they're here to help you pay off your debt faster and start putting your hard-earned money back into the things you love. Every day you wait, it is costing you money. So get started with your free debt analysis in just 30 seconds at pdsdette.com slash sidebar. Now, as the jury enters deliberations, they have to weigh the conflicting testimonies, the evidence, and then they have to come to a decision. So while we wait for that outcome, we actually want to rewind and take a closer look at the highlights from this trial so we can get you fully caught up the speed so we know what to expect and what we can understand when

this decision comes down, whatever that may be. So let's start with opening statements. The jury heard sharply contrasting accounts of who escalated this confrontation between Rocky and Efron. And prosecutor Paul Presolomich argued that Ephron, who Hoping to resolve a long-standing feud agreed to meet Rocky outside of a parking garage. But instead of patching things up, the prosecutor claims that Rocky pulled a gun on Efron and threatened to kill him. November 6th, 2021, you'll hear that Mr. Efron was in Los Angeles working with one of the artists that he managed. He was asleep around 9 o'clock p.m. when he started receiving a seat. series of urgent messages from not only for Mr. Mayors, but from the two other men that

were with him, ASAP Ills and ASAP 12. And he'll hear that he received a number of calls kind of back to back to back from the three of them. Now he didn't answer those calls because he was sleeping, but he ultimately woke up, he saw that he had a number of missed calls. He also received text messages from Mr. Mayors that were aggressive, seeking a confrontation with him, asking him where he was. Mr. Mayors is on the left side of this conversation. Where are you at? Let's get to it. Stop ducking my calls.

The messages that the victims receiving are instantly aggressive towards him. So you will hear from Mr. Ephron that he called the defendant. He was groggy because he had just woken up. They had a conversation and they agreed to meet outside of the W. Hotel in Hollywood. Mr. Ephron will tell you that as he went to that meeting, he was of the frame of mind that he and Mr. Mayors were going to have a confrontation that he believed they would argue and that ultimately this would lead to kind of repairing their relationship so they would each be able to

speak their peace and essentially fight like brothers do and then ultimately bring them closer together they would repair sort of the issues that they each had with each other so that's how mr. Ephron is going into this meeting. And Mr. Efron will tell you, in his state of mind, he never believed that he was going to be shot. Now, despite how dangerous this is, having a semi-automatic pistol pointed at you

and discharged twice, you will hear that Mr. Efron was not seriously injured by this shooting. He has these injuries. to the middle knuckle of one of his hands. Mr. Efron will tell you that at the time the shooting was happening, he immediately felt a burning sensation to his hand, which led him to believe that these were grazed wounds from one of the bullets

that was shot of him. Perhaps they were. Perhaps they were not. Whether or not the victim in this case was actually shot or injured by this will not not be something that you have to decide at the end of the case. That's one version of events because now we have another one. In his opening statement, defense attorney Joe Takapina accused Terrell Efron of fabricating

his version of events, including his alleged injuries, and even planting evidence driven by greed and jealousy in order to go after ASAP Rocky. So Takapina argued that Efron's motive stem from a desire for money for financial gain and revenge, suggesting that this form. former friend had concocted the story as part of a scheme to secure a payout. Ladies, gentlemen, in this case is about one man's jealousy, lies in grief, and that man is not rocked here. That man's Thorella Fron, or you've heard the name, Releon, he is the source of all the

evidence in this case, all that the prosecution is going to rely on, he's the source of all the evidence. The two assaults you're going to hear about in this case were both committed by this both all the evidence comes through his mouth every single piece of evidence for you to decide these charges comes through his mind this case rises to a pause on his credibility the videos you saw without his testimony was absolutely nothing you need to believe his testimony and his version of events from the video So these charges regroup. The last thing that this attorney said on his opening statement

was, don't leave your common sense at the door or use your common sense, something like that. Please don't leave the common sense at the door. I implore you to use your common sense in this case. Look, I will address the credibility of Raleigh. in great, great detail later what the evidence will show. But first, let me begin explaining the purpose of an opening statement to what we do here. Opening statements are really lawyers giving you a preview of how we believe the evidence is going to show you to come in.

How will unfold in this case, but it's more than that, actually. It's a promise to you. It's a promise from us to you. It's a promise that what we say is going to be proven is actually proven. actually proven. And it's not like one of those politician promises. You know the politician promises, right? If you wrote for me, I'll lower taxes, I'll make it safe, unemployment will go down, all those great things that politicians promise, and then based on those promises, you vote. And then you hope they fulfill those promises. Not here. Here, both sides make promises to you right now. You get to see if we fulfill those promises and then

you know. That's the difference. Ladies and gentlemen, you represent the state of California, the people of the state of California, Norsenburg. And there's no greater service a citizen of this country can do than serving the military or do what you're being asked to do right now, stand in judgment of another person in a matter of such great importance. It's an incredible burden to bear. But that's why the 16 of you were chosen. There were 106 people here.

You made the cut because you all assumed, and even the ultimate, assured us that you could carry out that burden fairly, impartially, without a bias, If you found a closed mind, listen to the evidence carefully, before writing a decision you promised them. And to base you a decision only on the evidence, not some preconceived notions stemming from the nature of this case or what you may have read or heard.

This is entirely hard. But just on facts. And to abide by the basic tenets of our Constitution, prove beyond reasonable doubt. presumption and they're not near technicalities and say they're the backbone of this country a person has presumed innocent the judge's rape hold you and it means he is in fact innocent until and unless the prosecution proves otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt the judge will leave you the law later at the end of the case but it's doubt that because it

has to take a matter of importance in your own life i submit you the decision you make in this case at the end will be the most important decision in the life correcting mayors and I'm confident that if you apply the standard and hold the prosecution to the burden of proving each and every element of both counts beyond that doubt the reasonable doubt this will work out and that's why the 16 U was one insurers look this is a serious business and I just want to tell you one last thing before we're diving I just think some jurors some people when they become jurors forget no one here is that both sides are not going to actually do anything you don't do in your

everyday life no one's going to ask you to do anything when you're assessing credibility when you make termination of credibility nothing you don't do in your everyday life whether someone's telling the truth whether they're lying but they're mistaken just bringing everyday life experiences you'll be the best you're as possible there is no magic formula there is no elixir and as you now know there's no jury school you should God-given common sense in looking at this evidence I know that what I can do this case ladies and gentlemen the jury my name is Joe Dacepin I along with Sarah Patley and Chad Segal of the

absolute honor and privilege to represent Revenue Mayors' case, known globally as ASEF Rocky. The evidence will show you that Rocky was a self-made man, risen from the most humble meetings, through extraordinary successes, who work, dedication, and artistic guidance. Your Honor, this is argument is also a real-al. Overall. What is said in opening statement is not evidence, but his evidence is what can be proven. Sometimes things you've said at opening statement that cannot be proven and are not proven. Sometimes they are.

That's what this case will be about. Remember my promises, I'll remember theirs when we talked in a few weeks on closing statements. I remember the DA put a slide in the opening. It's from Harlem, a picture of him in Rihanna. Talked about when he was a teenager. I want to do the same thing. You'll hear he was born in Harlem, that they said, who was raised in poverty. Your Honor, you'll hear that same, Your Honor, the same objection.

You'll hear how about his upbringing, his mother and his siblings, and how he overcame. Overcame a pogromer with dedication. What happened? Rocky is not only as... I do want you to stick to what the evidence will show. Yes, sir. I do believe the evidence will show that, but I'm going to get deeper into these facts. But what the evidence will also show is he's not only a celebrated artist and a fashion icon.

He's a man who raised a beautiful family. That's a district attorney book, picture, significant other... Your Honor, you've got to get to the facts here. You're going to hear the stark context. A dark contrast in two individuals, Rocky on one side, Borrel Phaffron on the other side, known Israeli. He represents a very different narrative. The evidence will show you that this rally

presents himself to the world as wealthy, successful man, source light of he's a reporting artist, businessman. He wants a very lavish lifestyle on social media. He posed with luxury goods. luxury goods. Both. The same objection. None of this is evidence.

Evidence will show you this. None of this is evidence yet. There's no evidence on both sides. Posting pictures of himself with large sums of cash and whatnot. It's fraud. He is all about a money grab. The truth is far different. And you're going to see this extravagant lifestyle that's really wants.

There's nothing more than a fraud. built on not success in hardover but upon criminal equity. Ladies and gentlemen, this case is all about money. I've said once twice, I'll say a few more times. The evidence will show you it's nothing more than a money grab. Nothing more. A clear attempt at extortion by Raleigh, so he could fund his extravagant lifestyle is that he prevents the world.

You're going to see the only reason why in this world because Rocky would not agree to be a victim of another one of his crimes. Well, the man at the center of this case, Torel Ephron, took the stand, and he was there to argue that ASAP Rocky was the one who sparked this altercation. And Ephron began his testimony

by explaining this growing tension in their friendship, saying that it became increasingly difficult to maintain a friendship, a relationship with Rocky, once the rapper became famous. Ephron described Rocky as fake, referred to him as a six-month man because the rapper would often ignore his calls and texts according to him. Were you also feeling tension in your relationship with it? I mean, it's kind of always been like that, but it's really hard to have a relationship with Rocky.

Can you explain that? I mean, you want to tell him to my personal experience? Yes. I feel like he's safe. How's up? He lies a lot. I don't see him, so it's like, how are we gonna have a relationship? You know what I mean?

Is there anything specific that you can take him? Yeah, it was like my companies or just anything, like overall. Like, you know what I mean? Like I had this one thing, this one joke, I call him this six month man, because I was seen every six months. You know what I mean? But then when you come around, it's like, it's fake. You know what I mean?

supposed to be in this ace happening for it's all smoking mirrors. Did you actually voice your displeasure to you? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. How did you do that? I'm through text messages, but nothing ever, like, threatening him anything, just mostly telling him, like, try to tighten up this fake. But you would text message him and say...

And he won't text me back. He would never text him back. Okay. I'll probably see him and we'll have a conversation. He'd be like, oh, bro, emotional or something like that, an intense letter, you know, shit like that. When he caused you emotionally, you heard that as an insult to you, correct? Not really. Okay, how did you take it?

Like, he's trying to shoot me off, like, using that as, like, deliberation to be, like, not get business done, I guess. And this tension escalated just one day before the alleged altercation when Ephron overheard a conversation while riding in a car with his friend Jabari Shelton, also known as Aesap Vari. Because Efron claimed that he heard Rocky bad-mouthing him on that call. So then Rocky's like, oh yeah, you know, I got my s with me, boom, boom, boom, whatever. And then instantly after that, he says, f*** that really. And I'm like, I'm sitting in the back of the chair. And I kind of get up and I'm like, and then bar.

like, stops me. He's like, and then I'm listening. And he's like, oh, yeah, I don't f*** it. Can I say it? I want to say it. Yeah. Say it. So we pretty much was like, oh, I don't f*** with that, that, he's mad emotional, like this down and third, pretty much. It was so long ago, but it was, and it tense, the contents of that. And then Jabbar was like, what you mean you don't f*** with him? And he's like, I just don't going on like that like this down in the dirt. And after he said something about like

so long ago, but he was like I'll beat him up or something like that. So you want to keep going? Let me stop you. You said that you keep saying he

said. Were those all things that the defendant said specifically? Yeah, yeah. So he was the one that said he has a f*** of you, correct? Yeah. Had you said anything at that point in the car that would have alerted him to the fact

that you were actually in the car? No, he didn't know. I was there. Did... I wanted to say something, but Ardy was, like, like, kind of put his hands to the side to, like, my leg. You know what I mean? And I was just listening. I'm assuming then that Javari didn't tell him

I'm in the car with... Oh, no, no, no. Now, Efron claims that he received a barrage of calls and texts from ASAP Rocky on November 6th, 2021. And he said he thought this was an opportunity to finally settle their longstanding issues. And based on the earlier conversation that he apparently overheard between Rocky and ASAP Barry, Efron hoped that they could talk things out peacefully. However, when they met up, Efron testified that Rocky grabbed him, pulled a gun from his waistband, and threatened to kill him.

And he testified in excruciating detail the moment that gun was allegedly pointed at him. When you said he pointed at you, where on your body was pointing? Like, towards my stomach, like, towards, like, my head isher little, like, everything was happening so fast. So fast, you know what I mean?

And from what you're describing, was it moving? Yeah, it was moving. He had it up. Okay, so he didn't just hold it at your stomach. It was kind of... No, no, he was looking for it. spot to shoot. Okay. If Elijah wasn't there, I don't know what would have happened. And you

said as he was pointing it at you is, what did he say? I'll kill you right now. And was that in an angry tone? He did. He was, he was good, he was livid. Was his voice elevated? Like, was he yelling this at you or was this living in the same way? Yeah, because he was yelling back and and forth at this point. All right. And you said that after he pointed a gun in you, you mean Right. Yeah, I became furious. So what did you say that from? I told them to use it.

Why? Because mentally, like, I couldn't believe he just pulled the gun out on me. So I'm like, what the f***. Like, you better use that shit. The fuck you got a gun for. Can you explain, I want, I want, as best you can to the jury, explain to them what you mean by, I can't believe you just pulled the gun on. What is that, what do you mean by it?

Like, I physically, can I believe it was a gun in my face. That was the breaking point for me, because like what I said, told this kid numerous times, if you have a problem with me, let me know. You know what I mean? I feel like this got to the max.

Like, this was like no return. So if I was willing to die for my respect at this point, I don't care. You get what I'm saying? Like, if this is what you want to do, I still have my dignity. That's how I felt. Did you personally see him

with a with a gun on occasions before this no he has a lot of security okay um did you if someone said that the defendant was known to carry a crop gun or fake guns would that have acknowledged that you personally had no he don't carry fake guns i mean you don't Prop guns? Yes. No. You never knew to carry a crime? No.

Here's something interesting. So Efron emphasized that he had never seen Rocky carry a gun before, which makes it interesting for the defense's claims that Rocky had carried around a prop gun or a fake weapon as a form of self-protection. And he went on to detail the moment that the gun was allegedly fired at him. Like I said, it was like a movie crime. Boom. and then like just running around trying to like give you okay the motion he made with his arm your honor described yeah so he had his arm extended out and then as he was saying he shot down he lifted his arm up to about head high and then had his um pointer finger sort of pointed

forward blood in the downward direction and was higher well i don't really remember but from what uh like it was more like it was fast it turned around he turned around and it was like boom you know like yeah not like what's like okay you said that as he as he shot the gun the first time you you said your hand felt hot correct yeah um where on your hand felt hot my left hand where left hand uh just right above my knuckles uh just right above my my knuckles right here, I'm below my knuckles. So it's right here. Okay, so that was all his direct examination, being questioned by the prosecution. Now we got to head over to Efron's cross-examination when he was questioned by defense attorney Joe Takapina. And this was chaotic, and it was

filled with a lot of tension. Why? Because Takapina began by pressing Efron about his lifestyle and his social media posts. Again, this is a guy that the defense has argued is all about money and can't be trusted. So at one point, Efron became visibly frustrated and a break was called to allow him to consult with his attorneys. If somebody asks an improper question, I won't allow it to go forward. If you're being asked the question that's lawful in a court room, just answer it. Even if it makes you mad, even if you don't see the point of it, just answer the questions as truthfully as you can, regardless of. if you would ask please do that okay yes yes so what did you mean by if it ain't

about money I ain't meaning you what's that I don't know it's a phrase what would you mean like you posted wasn't nothing how about this next one this is defense he want to use it ever he is that for New York Instagram lifestyle. That's you, sir, in the States with captioning, more funds is the focus right now, and that's June 5th, 2023. What's wrong with that? Mr. McCon?

My question, I'm not saying in control. Okay. What do you mean by that? about that more funds to focus right now mean you're trying to get successful like what do you mean I do private equity I've got to do a lot of things but I don't understand these questions why I'm not answering why am I answering questions about my Instagram well you talked a lot about your lifestyle yesterday about your business and right on your stretch private record which will get you and have your

money right we're talking about it so you just said your left portray your last life right so I'm talking about some of those things on like this next one but uh instagram is um a place of like i don't see how you basing me as a person off my instagram okay let's let's take a uh a 10-minute break well after that break the defense attempted to undermine effron's narrative by pointing to a series of text messages that he had apparently sent to rocky before the altercation and the defense claimed that these messages which effron apparently deleted before handing over his phone to the police, painted a very different picture of their relationship.

That was put into evidence yesterday by the prosecution. You saw that yesterday, correct? Sir. Yeah. Oh. Now, there's no, as you see, there's no message above that, right? Under it is the video who sent with the shell cases subsequently. That was later.

That was at 1150. But before that, before the incident in 934, it's just that, right? I mean, I don't know. Okay. Before turning your phone over to law enforcement, you in fact believe in messages which you sent to Rocky on November 6, 2021. Is that right? I know we're going.

Okay. Well, let's show you. You see, what wasn't on your phone, but remained on Rocky's phone, was what you deleted. Mr. Eckron. There's no argument.

Hold on. You're right. It's argument. Okay. Do you see the text messages you sent at? This is baby. It's fateful. It's fake. I've never seen, he don't even write like that. This dude would not write me.

No, no, no, no. What are you talking about? This is supposed to be right here? No, sir. No, sir. That's you writing to Lully. Oh, okay, okay. That's better.

Why he's responding to you. W.Y.A. Let's get to it. Stopped up my calls. You saw that yesterday, and you wrote on the front of Trader Joe's one. Yeah, because that's when I've seen your party. So that was the sixth, when obviously,

when I heard him saying he was going to be up and do everything else under the moon. Right. So you wrote that message to him, right? Okay. Why did you delete that from your cell phone before you come to go to the law enforcement? That was true. I do not do. Stop.

Not enough. Did you delete a text from your cell phone? Yeah, but he deleted because I handed it over to. Did you delete it? Yeah. Okay. Your question now, touch right? Why did you delete that?

string before you turn your phone up to law enforcement. Why did he do you? I think I deleted his whole message, and that's why it popped up a whole new one. He's asking you why? Why you do it? I don't know. I don't remember. Okay. All right. Now, due to the provocative language in the text, we had to blur them, but one of the deleted messages read, you got all these fake animosity towards me. L.O.L. beat me up. So the defense used that message to argue that Ephron was the one who instigated.

this altercation. And despite admitting to deleting the text, Efron didn't appear to really be able to explain why he did so. But the defense also sought to undermine Efron's credibility by highlighting inconsistencies between his testimony and his previous statements. There was a whole back and forth about whether or not the gun was pressed up against him. Now, it's your story that during this initial encounter that you just observed, Rockie pressed the gun against your stomach. Correct? Yes, correct.

He also pressed. Didn't you touch my stomach, but he pointed out at me. Nothing that physically touched you, pointed it at me. Okay, so it didn't physically touch your stomach. No, you didn't touch my stomach. So that's the word. If it didn't physically touch your stomach, it was in between.

If it didn't physically touch your stomach, but you just said, you wouldn't have felt the barrel They're going against your stomach, right? I don't know what I was feeling. Everything happened fast. I understand. Right. But you just told the story,

nothing physically touched your stomach. They're not physically touch you, right? I don't recall, sir. Okay. Did you not testify that he felt the barrel on touching your stomach previously? I don't recall. Okay.

I'll hear you. Yeah, like you've got to read that hard. Yeah, like you got to read, but I don't know. Oh, I've been doing that. I'll do it again. He's like Elijah and Twilby's off to the side. Elijah's put her way to her way. No, no.

He's literally, I'm feeling the barrel of the gun in my stomach. Like, do you recall saying that to the district occurring in 2022? Say it again? Like Elijah and... This is wrong portion. Wait, hold on, sir. What was this, a phone call or... The phone did you, this record, Willow?

In 2042. You recall saying I'm feeling the barrel of the gun in my stomach? I'm feeling the barrel of the gun in my stomach. I don't recall. Okay. The question is whether you recall saying it or the question whether it I believe the question was, is you recall, saying. Right.

Okay. Okay. Because initially today he said nothing touched me. So that was my question. Thank you, Mark. Thank you, John. You also told detectives that in that instance, that we saw this video,

not only did he put the gun to your stomach, but he also put the gun to your head. Right? No, he didn't put no actual, because it never touched me, but he pointed it. He pointed it to my stomach, and I said it. You're trying to jerk me up. You pointed it to me, to my head,

and my stomach, and he said, he's going to kill me. kill me. Okay. Efron also testified that Rocky had threatened to kill him, but that claim was challenged by a previous interview with prosecutors where Efron seemed kind of uncertain about what exactly Rocky had said during this confrontation. And you testified that he also said, I'll kill you right now. First of all, you actually, do you remember those words, specifically remember those words, sir?

I mean, he's screaming that he's saying, like, I'll kill you. Did he say those words, I'll kill you? Yes. You're sure? Yes. Okay. In fact, when you spoke to the district attorney, only one year later in November of 2022 on paper, what you said was, you don't remember what he said because it was so long ago.

Isn't that true? I mean, that's pretty much a tactic goodness being one, drag it out. one drag it out but if I'm refreshed I can remember it's been three years he was innocent he would be home a long time ago I'm sorry I mean if I don't know there's no question but three years it's no no stop stop just wait to me ask one or two ask a fair question no I know that but we're almost four o'clock so go ahead finish the topic and you're going to take a break. Here's the question.

You swore to this jury that Rocky said to you exact words I'll kill you right now. Not that something like you remember those words you told the jury. Yeah, that's exactly what he said. That's exactly what he said. One year after this instance, sir,

one year after, not three and a half years later, like it was now. One year after, you had a peep interview with the district attorney's office. And what you said to them was, and then Rocky, like, he's saying something, I don't really remember because it was just, like, a long time ago, so I don't really remember what you were saying. I'm getting tired of talking to everybody, bro, nothing was happening. It took them nine months to even pursue the case.

Now, adding to the defense's case, alleged phone recordings had surfaced between Efron and a friend Wally Sajimi, where Efron appeared to discuss suing ASAP Rocky, and that this was, his plan all along. And when these recordings were introduced, Efron denied their authenticity, claiming they were fake, meaning they were not initially allowed in his evidence, but things became more suspicious when he was questioned on why he allegedly called Mr. Sajimi during a lunch break in the trial to apparently discuss the recordings. I don't remember, I mean, you know what Wally is? Sorry?

Just go, Mr. Tucker, you know what to go? Well, we're going to go, when you ask my question here? Do you know Wally is? I do. Okay. In fact, you told Wally you shot you five times, right? No, I didn't. You didn't say it?

No, I didn't. And by the way, it's become Wally. Last Thursday was my first day of course examination of you, and I asked you about the statements you made in the Wally that morning. The question being turned to that morning. The morning, the morning of the examination, yes, sir. The morning of the examination last Thursday, I'd asked you questions about Wally. In statements you may have made the WALA, would you deny? At the lunch break, Mr. Efron, you called Wallet, correct?

I called him after everything because, I mean, you guys got y'all whipping up lies over here. No, no evidence. Hold on. Hold on. You're not answering this question. He's talking about the lunch break. Ask it. And I'm not, and I'm allowed.

Wait. Ask the question again. Okay. For Walter's name was brought up on course of scammaries by being the statement. On the report is that you say were fake, you called Wallet. That's a compound question. It is. All right. You are requiring about whether you made a phone call at the lunch on the lunch break following your beginning of your cross-examination.

You understand the question? All right. Did you call it while during the lunch break? No. You told me at the court? Yes, I didn't. And what's the wallet? Because, I mean, you guys is just lying.

Lies after lies. You can't back it up. These guys, we can't back it up. You can. You can. Did you get at the tape recording? You're all right. Let's ask another question.

I guess we'll see about that, right? Your Honor, just say, can the court instruct it previously? And this is editorialized. Mr. Lennon is not doing that in his arrest. Right. He's right. But I know. I wouldn't say, I don't believe it up there.

Don't editorialize. And you should try this. His answers are. They are not responsive. They are not responsive. They are not responsive. Anyway, so you called him because we were presenting fake evidence to you? Yes or no?

I don't know. I don't know, man. There's just something? I don't know. Because you guys just keep playing fake audio tune, like fake stuff. I never said none of that's in. It doesn't even make sense. It doesn't fit in with his case.

You're trying to slip it in. Okay, stop. All right, does he answer the question? That's why he pulled. I mean, you guys are saying I'm cool with him and I got his number and he's making up big lives. That's like, he didn't even answer, so I don't know what are we talking about? He did not answer. What are you going to say he answered and make up another school for him?

Motion to strike is non-responsive. He's motion to strike his own one. That's not. Yeah, the entire answer is non-disprone. counsel is editorializing and what I'm losing, right? I'm following the evidence vote and say a counselor I'm out to death. The council follow over as well, and not an intertorialized is why I'm asking things to be straight.

It's improper. You just stop squabbling. I'm just stopping our swallowing. Nobody is a no squabble zone. And then the plot thickened when Wally Sajimi himself unexpectedly appeared on the stand as a defense witness. And due to the last minute nature of his appearance, he was called as an out-of-order witness for the defense.

but Sajimi testified that those recordings were authentic, validating their admission into evidence. On December 24th, 2020, 2014, you'd send a daily mail article entitled to Leanna Fears, heartbreaking consequence of ASI practice trial with smile. And the relevance of these questions about it's a specific. We asked that. December 27, 20, 24, it really sends you an article from the daily mail entitled to Deanna Fears' Heartbreaking consequence the base at Brockie's trial with a smiley face. Yes.

To be here today, so where are you coming from? Parish France. Okay. And what were you doing in Paris France? Grabbing meetings, doing business deals, trying to invest in this new tech startup. Okay. So you're there for? Yes.

You don't live there? No. Okay. You live where? New Jersey. When did you get here in Los Angeles, sir? last night late. Okay.

And why did you come here? Really clear my name to tell the truth. Again, I just hated seeing my name tied to, you know, lies and untruthful words. And did it concern you as far as your professional reputation that this guy was accusing you of doctrine and making up recordings? Yes. Would you ever do that? No, never.

I'm not there yet with like the technology, I would say. would say so yeah but even if you were there wouldn't you know it's not on this right yeah did you make recordings of conversation with roughly yes how many reports to do you make um two about in 2022 believe the dates were i forget the april date but mid-april and then august 15thish yeah you said you made that based on new recollection right yeah If the metadata, they actually say may, but around equal in 2020. Yep. Okay.

And then August of 2020. Yes. Okay. And those are the two conversations you recorded? Yes. Okay. Did you get those recordings to Theraki? Yes.

Okay. And first of all, why did you give to Theraki? I think it was just conversations he needed to hear. And why do you think he needed to hear? Because they're about him and... A lot of it seemed just suspicious talking about Marcosterian. Now, he wasn't off the hook because during cross-examination, the prosecution raised questions about why Sajimi had recorded his conversations with Efron, especially without his knowledge when they were supposed to be friends. Is there anything about Raleigh statements about suing the defendant, trying to get $30 million?

dollars is there anything about those statements that you are aware of that changes what actually happened the night of the incident no i think i answer that so would you agree that whether or not rally sues for a dollar 20 million 100 million 20 billion dollars that in the end either the shooting happened or didn't would you agree yes And it's your further testimony. Despite all that, you've never had one conversation or asked him one question, the defendant, about what actually transpired. As a question as a statement.

How many calls in total did you record? Two. Two calls? Now, you said that you were upset because the idea that Raleigh was, coming into court, you said you were offended by his line. Is that correct? Yes.

When you were taping his calls, did you know you were taping? No. Do you think that friends tape other friends' phone calls? Sometimes. I'm asking you, I'm not asking to physically, I assume, sir, that if somebody wants to report a call,

I didn't ask whether it's technically on asking you, do you think that a friend records their friend's phone calls when that person doesn't know? The objection he gave an answer with the son. That's not a real objection. It's not

a question. It's speculation of what friends do is irrelevant. Ask another question. You've called Terrell a friend of yours, correct? Yes. Do you think that it was being a friend of his to

tape his phone calls without his knowledge. Yes. How was that being a friend at Jarrell? Sometimes friends do things like that. You mean sometimes friends betray friends by taping their calls and then calling other people to report what they found? Is that what you mean? That's more than the whole of the trail.

So, so when is the last time that you had spoken to the defendant prior to immediately calling him after the May 2020 phone call. I didn't talk to him. What's that? I said I didn't talk to him prior to really calling me. You talked to him before, so I'm asking the last time.

When did the last time I'm going? I'm not sure. And a significant twist in the trial came when Terrell Efron admitted under questioning that he had apparently visited a Los Angeles. gun range just what two weeks before the alleged shooting that's important if we're talking about him finding the shell casings right now initially effron had claimed that a video showing him firing a semi-automatic pistol on october 19th 2021 was likely taken in new jersey however after reviewing his instagram archive over the weekend effron admitted that the video was shot at a los angeles

gun club and this new information as you can imagine raised a lot of questions nothing in your Instagram that shows you in Los Angeles on October 19, 2021. Is that? Yes, it is. Really? I'm going to give you a live phone. You're showing on your Instagram. Show me on your Instagram where it shows that you're in Los Angeles on October 19, 2021.

What do you mean, a live phone? My phone, with your Instagram. No, we have to go see, now you think you slick. We've got to go to my phone, my actual phone and go to my archive. You're not going to this show. show me something of my highlights, which is not this. You're going to stop. Stop.

This is, uh. You're not going to kick chirping me up. I'm on your Ephron. Stop. Just stop talking. This is, it's... Your Honor, we have a letter from the VA, and the letter says that Mr.

Efron informed then that he went on his Instagram. Yes, my Instagram. All right. You're trying to show me somebody else's. You're trying to show me somebody else's that I can't activate where I can go to my art. He is not slick. He doesn't need to go on someone else's phone.

Do you have your home? You know I don't got him. It's over here. We can hear it though. I can show you. We can go here right now. So you're clear this up. This will cause you to go back.

No, you did because you're sneaky. Don't be insulting. Stop it. I'm feeling right. He is not insulting you. Don't insult him. Don't insult any lawyer that's asking you questions. You're not doing yourself any good by doing that.

by doing that i mean i'm getting screwed and i mean this is this is not where i how much long do you have three minutes or what is it well then it's 12 o'clock i would like to get finished with uh yeah we will mr aphron before we take the uh great so anyway what was it that caused you to remember this what did you see you you get your question axing not giving me time tripping me up so i went back and i analyzed my whole instagram analyzed everything you said and i started realizing what you was doing so then i went to my archive you just trying to show me something over story that you can't get in your archive so you're already like lying to people or lying about the situation because you know i cannot see it throughout that you cannot

you cannot accuse anybody of lying do not do that i told you nothing derogatory but nobody I'm telling you, and I've been telling you, do not be derogatory toward anyone in this courtroom. Go ahead. Okay, so stepping away from Terrell Efron for a moment. Later on, the prosecution called the lead detective to the stand, who testified that based on his investigation and the evidence, he believed that the gun used in this incident was a real firearm. And based upon this individual videos, you can tell certain characteristics and stuff with the gun. Do you recall that? Yes.

When you review evidence to determine something like whether a gun is operable, if you have multiple videos, do you view those videos individually to make that determination, or do you view them collectively to make that determination? Collectively, obviously. I look at them as a poll, and obviously trying to put them in sequence with events. Collectively. Okay. And I believe you said, when you review,

when you reviewed the video from the parking structure that individual video you couldn't say it was an operable gun correct correct but when you review the video collectively is it your belief that the gun we see in the defendants hand was operable objectionable when you view the videos collectively what was your opinion regarding whether the gun was operation it was an operation it was an operation where how how did you come to that I mean, in the totality of the circumstances of the first view of the weapon, followed by the second view, the reaction to the incident as the four individuals in the distance in the camera were scrambling, as you can see that some things going on in conjunction with the sounds of the shots heard in the other camera, and then the validity of everybody running through the cameras over till Central. that along the lines with the information provided by Mr. Affron.

That was my opinion that it was an operable firearm and shots had been fired. So after the prosecution rested its case, then it was the defense's turn. And the defense called one of ASAP Rocky's longtime friends to the stand, ASAP 12y, who told the jury in contrast that Rocky did carry a starter pistol. Again, a prop gun, a fake gun, and that this was the weapon that he fired during the confrontation. with Efron. Do you know any security measures where you took your response?

Those instances you just had to put it. Yes. Tell us. I know he had to get a whole new security staff. And also, I know he, um, he walked around with a problem. A prop, like a startup is through, like a problem. That's a good thing.

Okay. And how do you know he had a problem? Well, I've seen it on several occasions. The first time I've seen it, It wasn't on his, like, body for anything. It was for a video shoot, the DM&V video shoot in the Bronx. One with that? That was July 2021.

And you were at that video shoot? Yes, I was. You actually part of the video? Yes, I came in the video. Who else was in that video? Me, myself, Rocky, Aesap Hills, Brianna was featured in the video as well. And in that video, you said,

you saw propons? Yes, so he had a scene that was more like a private scene. Not so many people could be around the scene. And in the apartment, it was like a mini movie, you know. So he had props, he had different things to make it feel like a movie set in that scene. Okay. And after the video shoot was complete,

yes. Did I be doing that in those problems? I'm not too sure about the video shoot, but I do remember seeing him again with a prop of September of this. Same objections. Stained. Okay. After the video shoot, did you see more a prop then again? Yes.

What? In September. Of what year? 2021. 12y, who was apparently present during this confrontation, also disputed Efron's account of the actual incident, stating that Efron had been the aggressor, not ASAP Rocky. Did there come a point where Rale and Rottie met? Yes.

Okay, what happened when they met? Well, soon as they met, from what I've seen, it was just like, really just grabbed, right? It's just, just, oh, soon as he seemed, just grabbed. Okay. And what happened after the, really? So he's kind of grabbing them, and Raleigh's a good. And Raleigh's a big dude, you know, really big. So he's kind of like grabbing him and shaking him.

So at this point, Rocky tries to like, I guess grab him too, but grip the floor so you can maintain his balance because Rely is kind of like trying to lift him up by his hood. Now, at one point, We'll just play that video. I'm going to show you a video from the that garage encounter on Ardell Street on November 6th, 2020. And when you see them going backwards, so as that parking sign, I guess Reli is holding Rocky in,

holding Reli going backwards that way. I observe, like I said, Rocky was trying to look. get his balance so that he wouldn't like lift him or throw him or push him anyway but the question not to call for speculation as to why the answer the answer is remains as without adding and then what did you see when they were going backwards i've seen really like pulling like rock and what was the reaction? To your reaction?

Well, my reaction, I was surprised because from my understanding, these dudes were only supposed to have a conversation, you know? I didn't expect anything else. Did you do anything? Besides how to break it up, you know, just put my hands in the middle of it. You see yourself on that video again there? Yeah. You're wearing that red jacket?

Correct. Yes. point, is that deal with you gets in the middle? Yes. In that small clip there, you see Rocky holding an object that looks like firearm. Yes. Okay. And what was that in fact? That was his problem.

Now, talking ASAP Rocky, he ultimately chose not to take the stand in his own defense, and his legal team officially rested their case. So then we moved on to closing arguments. And during closing arguments, again, the prosecutor, one of the prosecutors, Paul Presolomius urged the jury to focus on what he described as the one critical question at the heart of this case. Was it a real gun or was it a fake gun? And he emphasized that this case wasn't just about the weapons appearance, but about the alleged

serious assault that occurred on a Hollywood street corner. The question for you to answer in this case boils down to really just one question. There's only one important question in this case, one critical question that you have to answer. And that is, did Mr. Mayors, the man at the table, did he use a real gun or did he use a fake gun? Now, for those of you who have been jurors in the past, you know that as jurors, often, when you sit in these cases, you have to answer a whole host of questions. Do you need to answer, was the defendant, was Mr. Mayors, was he even there that night? Was a gun? Did he actually have a gun?

Was the gun loaded? Did he actually fire the gun? You know, there could be a bunch of different questions that you have to answer. In this case, all those questions are agreed to. And it only comes down to that one question. Was it a real gun? Or was it a fake gun? Now, you're not going to hear me, and you haven't heard Mr. Lewin or I throughout this

case tell you that after this crime happened, that Mr. Efron did not think to himself, I want to be compensated for what happened to me. And we are not going to tell you that Mr. Efron, after this crime, this horrible crime happened, his primary motivation wasn't, man, I really need to go to the police and make sure that whoever did this was held accountable. That's not what Mr. Ephron was seeing. Mr. Ephron was absolutely focused on himself. We agree to that. We talked to you about that all the way back in jury selection. We told you at the time Mr. Ephron filed a lawsuit. Mr. Ephron wants money because of what happened. Okay? That hasn't been hidden from you. We actually

stood here and stipulated to that with the defense, that there was a lawsuit, what the causes of actions were, we agree to all that. None of that's in dispute. It's very important that you understand your role in this case, and specifically what your role in this case is not. Not about it. You are never going to be asked to decide how much money should Mr. Ephron get for what happened to him that night? Does Mr. Mayers, does he owe Mr. Efron a dollar, no dollars, a gazillion dollars, you'll never be asked to answer that question. Your role is not to consider that, not to consider that question. The only question that you are here to answer is that night in Hollywood, did Mr. Mayors have a real gun or a fake gun?

Then we go to the defense. In his closing argument, defense attorney Joe Takapina delivered a very sharp attack on the credibility of Terrell Efron. And he described Efron, quote, as an angry pathological liar who had repeatedly, quote, committed perjury again and again and again, casting serious doubt on his testimony. And Takapina dismissed Efron's account of the shooting, describing his alleged injuries as nothing more than knuckle scrapes, which he argued were far from the gunshot wounds that Efron claimed to have sustained. I said that you'd see the kind of person was in this courtroom, an angry pathological life, that he and he alone is the source of all the evidence that they were lying on.

And this case would rise and fall on his credibility. You take him out of the picture, there is no case. And as I promised, really showed you who he truly was when I came on the first determination. He's a man who told you without hesitation, I can tell people whatever I want. He said that. I can tell people whatever I want. He's their witness. Who you're being asked to believe beyond a reasonable doubt.

I can tell people whatever I want. He's a man who literally gave four different answers. to one question, four answers, one question. He said, yes, no, I don't recall, I don't know. In one question. That was the first for me. We've been doing this for a bit. That was the first of me.

Four answers one question. Yes, no, I don't recall. I don't know. It's a man who committed perjury before your eyes over and over again, a man who snapped, Cursed through a water bottle while he was testifying, cursed in his courtroom. Through a water bottle out of anger while testifying in the light of court

with a judge, a jury, with these terrific sheriff's deputies and bailiffs. That's what he had to hear. Imagine what he's capable of in the dark of night. If he doesn't think, things watching. The prosecution's evidence consists of videos, shell casings and knuckle scrapes. And I don't know what else to call them but knuckle scrapes. I know they said, always going to call them knuckle scrapes.

What are we only going to call? Bullet wounds? I mean, they're knuckle scrapes. There's no bullet in the world. That could have done that. I mean, think about it. It scrapes the top of one knuckle. Does a bit of a dive to the second knuckle. Does a real deep dive to that third knuckle.

And then scoots along. And that would be one heck of a magic bullet. Heck of a magic bullet to do that. Just looking at those knuckle scrapes, no one has to be an expert in anything. You know, they are not from a bullet. Now, it was also reported that the jury could consider self-defense here, meaning if the jury believes that this was a real gun,

was Aesab Rocky acting to protect himself and others during that altercation? Therefore, could he be found not guilty because of reason of self-defense? However, prosecutor John Lewin indicated in his rebuttal closing to the jury, if this is a prop gun, there's no self-defense. So the jury is set to begin deliberations on Tuesday. If Rocky is found guilty, again, it's our understanding he could face up to eight years in prison. You can watch the full coverage of the verdict on our law and crime YouTube page. But that is all we have for you right now here on Sidebar, everybody. Thank you so much for joining us.

And as always, please subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, wherever. you get your podcasts. I'm Jesse Weber. I'll speak to you next time.