A$AP Rocky & Rihanna's Relationship Status Confuses Judge In Shooting Trial

A$AP Rocky and Rihanna‘s relationship has somehow managed to confuse a judge ahead of the rapper’s trial for his alleged role in a 2021 shooting.

During a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday (January 16), Judge Mark S. Arnold attempted to clarify the couple’s marital status by asking Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, how to refer to RiRi, who he plans to ask potential jurors about.

Tacopina replies: “She’s his common-law wife, your Honor. Or just ‘wife,'” which led to an objection from prosecutors.

A lawyer for the state countered: “If they’re not legally married, we prefer that she not be referred to as his wife and that she is just referred to as his significant other or mother of his children.”

Judge Arnold then asks: “Are they legally married anywhere?” to which Rocky’s attorney admits: “I don’t know, but she’s certainly his common-law wife.”

The judge ultimately ruled that Rihanna will only be referred to as A$AP Rocky’s wife if they are actually legally married, which doesn’t appear to be the case.

“If they are not legally married, she is his significant other,” Arnold decided.

A courtroom debate: What to call Rihanna in relation to A$AP Rocky. Are they actually married??

“It’s his common-law wife, Your Honor.”

“If they’re not legally married, we prefer that she not be referred to as his wife.”

“Are they legally married anywhere?” “I don’t know.” pic.twitter.com/BbNvcqFSNJ

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 15, 2025

It was also revealed that prosecutors offered A$AP Rocky a last-minute plea deal that would see him plead guilty to a lesser charge and avoid trial.

However, this offer was rejected, with Tacopina telling Judge Arnold (per Rolling Stone): “From our side, we have no interest in a settlement. My client has indicated he’s not willing to take anything. But obviously, I will listen to anything, any offer. And I have an obligation and a duty to relay it to my client, which I will do.”

After the hearing, the attorney said Rocky is feeling “confident” that he will be acquitted and is prepared to testify if necessary.

“He’s eager to tell his story. He would love the opportunity to do so,” Tacopina told Rolling Stone. “He’s a good human being and that would come out if he testifies. But that’s a decision that has not been made yet. It depends how the case goes.”

related news

A$AP Rocky Reveals Moment Rihanna 'Fell In Love' With Him — Years Before They Began Dating

October 9, 2024

Tacopina also spoke with journalist Meghann Cuniff outside the courthouse and was asked if Rihanna will attend the highly-publicized trial.

He replied: “I don’t know. That’s a family decision. He’s very protective of Rihanna and doesn’t want her anywhere near this proceeding. But that’s a family decision they’ll make.”

I caught up with A$AP Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina after court today.

Jury selection in Rocky’s gun assault trial begins next Tuesday in Los Angeles.

“He’s very protective of Rihanna and doesn’t want her anywhere near this proceeding. But that’s a family decision they’ll make.” pic.twitter.com/ATRxOKgRMN

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) January 15, 2025

Jury selection in the trial is scheduled to start next Tuesday (January 21), with the trial itself expected to last around 15 days.

A$AP Rocky is accused of shooting former A$AP Mob affiliate A$AP Relli during a dispute in 2021. He faces up to 24 years in prison if found guilty.

According to Relli (real name Terell Ephron), tensions between the two ignited after the “Praise Da Lord” rapper allegedly promised to help the family of a deceased member of A$AP Mob, but never did.

During a meeting in a Los Angeles hotel in November 2021, Relli claims that Rocky arrived with multiple men, pointed a gun at his stomach and said: “I’ll kill you right now.”

He then testified that shortly after Rocky shot him four times, including once in the hand, before fleeing the scene.

Security footage pieced together from various nearby parking garages appeared to show a firearm in the rapper’s possession while getting into an altercation before he runs away.