Just over a week after A$AP Rocky walked free from a felony assault trial, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron) isn’t giving up. Despite Rocky’s acquittal, Relli is pushing forward with his civil lawsuit, aiming to hold the Harlem rapper accountable in civil court.
On Wednesday (Feb. 26), Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William Fahey officially set the trial date for Jan. 12, 2026—confirming that this legal battle will continue to move forward
Relli’s attorney, Melisa Mikail, made it clear during the hearing that her client isn’t letting go of the case, citing the lower burden of proof in civil cases.
“We intend to continue litigating this case,” Mikail said. “The standard in a criminal case is much higher than the preponderance of the evidence standard in a civil matter. We still believe that our claims have merit, and we intend on fully litigating them.”
Rocky’s legal team, however, is calling foul. James Sargent, who represents Rocky in the civil case, argued that Relli already had his shot in the criminal case and lost.
“There’s no longer a basis for the case,” Sargent stated. “Mr. Ephron testified in the criminal case as to the facts and circumstances. The jury’s acquittal speaks volumes as to how they valued that testimonial evidence.”
The next hearing in the civil case, which was originally filed in 2022, is scheduled for May 28, 2025.
A$AP Relli Speaks Out After A$AP Rocky Not Guilty Verdict: “Say Bad Things About Me, I Don’t Care”
The Criminal Case That Led to Rocky’s Acquittal
The ongoing civil lawsuit stems from a November 6, 2021 incident, where Relli claims that A$AP Rocky fired a gun at him near a Hollywood hotel following a heated altercation.
Relli, a former A$AP Mob affiliate, testified that he was “grazed by a bullet”, while Rocky’s defense team insisted that the firearm was a prop gun loaded with blanks.
Facing two felony counts of assault with a firearm, Rocky could have been sentenced to 24 years behind bars if convicted. Instead, after weeks in court, a jury found him not guilty on February 18, 2025.
The acquittal was a huge win for Rocky, who wasted no time celebrating with his legal team and longtime partner, Rihanna, once the verdict was read.
However, Relli’s pursuit of justice in civil court proves that this battle is far from over.
Rocky’s Rejection of a Plea Deal—What Could Have Been?
Despite facing serious charges, Rocky rejected a last-minute plea deal that would have put him behind bars for 180 days. He chose to fight the charges in court instead—and it paid off.
His legal team successfully cast doubt on Relli’s testimony, arguing that there was no physical evidence linking Rocky to a live firearm.
“The evidence simply did not support a conviction,” Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina said following the verdict.
But now, in civil court, Rocky will have to face another round of legal scrutiny—and this time, the burden of proof is way lower.
What’s Next for Rocky and Relli?
With the civil lawsuit officially moving forward, the stakes are high for both parties. Unlike in criminal court, civil cases don’t require proof beyond a reasonable doubt—meaning Relli has a better shot at securing damages.
If the court rules in Relli’s favor, Rocky could be forced to pay up, regardless of his previous acquittal.
As for Rocky, he’s got major things on the horizon—from potential new music to his growing family with Rihanna. But with another legal battle looming in 2026, it’s clear that this chapter of his life is far from closed.
Stay locked in with Hollywood Unlocked for the latest updates on A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli’s legal showdown.
