Crime and Justice
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: PATRICK T. FALLON / Getty
A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, 36, was found not guilty. Pretty Flacko was charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm aka firing a gun at his former friend and A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli.
https://x.com/meghanncuniff/status/1891895289201434700
The jury began deliberating on Tuesday (Feb. 18) morning and reached their verdict by late afternoon. The jury consisted of seven women and five men and their decision was reportedly unanimous.
The prosecution alleged that Rocky fired two shots at Relli during a dispute on a street in Hollywood back in 2021. The trial featured dramatic testimony from Relli (Rocky passed on testifying) and bitter arguing between the prosecution and the defense (each side accused the other of perjury). Rocky’s longtime girlfriend attending the trial and occasionally bringing along their two baby sons added to the audacity of the proceedings.
The dutiful reporting of legal journalist Meghann Cuniff has given outside observers a direct look into the happenings of the trial as they occurred. Below, we’re sharing Cuniff’s YouTube channel that featured the verdict reading.
Social media followed this trial closely and is reacting to the verdict. See what’s happening in the gallery.
This story is developing.
Additional reporting by D.L. Chandler.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
A lawsuit filed by Jane Doe represented by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee against Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging rape and assault has been dismissed. Jay-Z, via his Roc Nation outfit, issued a statement after the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.
As seen on Variety, the lawsuit, filed Friday (Feb. 14) by Tony Buzbee and Antigone Curis on behalf of Jane Doe, was reviewed by the outlet in full. As the outlet notes, a portion of the dismissal stated that the new filing, “hereby gives notice that the above-captioned Action is voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice.” In essence, this case cannot be entered again as it stands currently.
A statement was posted on Roc Nation’s social media pages. We’ve shared a portion below:
Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere. The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.
This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions. The system has failed.
Jane Doe initially filed the claim last October against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that when she was 13 in the year 2000, the record label mogul raped her during a MTV Music Video Awards afterparty. In December of 2024, Jay-Z was added to the lawsuit.
Jay-Z immediately addressed the lawsuit in a series of public statements and legal maneuvers, aiming much of his vitriol toward Buzbee and calling the claims against him an elaborate scheme to pilfer money out of him.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are reacting to the news and Jay-Z’s statements. No word yet has emerged from Diddy’s camp.
Keep scrolling to see the reactions on X.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Adan Manzano, a Kansas City reporter with Telemundo, was found dead in his hotel room in New Orleans over the weekend. Police have arrested a suspect in the case, who had a history of drugging men and robbing them.
NBC Sports reports that Adan Manzano, 27, was in New Orleans on behalf of Telemundo in Kansas City to cover Super Bowl LIX. The outlet adds that Manzano was seen on surveillance video from the hotel camera feeds from Feb. 5 that showed him walking into his room early on the morning of his death with the suspect, with the video showing the suspect leaving Manzano’s room unaccompanied.
Area police announced the arrest of Danette Colbert, 48, and a resident of Sidell, La. Colbert was arrested for attempting to use Manzano’s credit cards at several stores, and a subsequent search of Colbert’s home turned up Manzano’s phone, other credit cards, and drugs.
Source: Kenner Police Department / Kenner Police Department
Colbert was listed by authorities as a “career criminal” and was involved in what they also framed as “fraud schemes” in recent times. In 2022, Colbert was twice arrested in separate matters on felony charges of grand larceny and administering a drug to aid in a felony crime. The pattern explained by the outlet was that Colbert would target and drug men and then steal their personal items. In both cases, the men did not want to go on record and testify against her. It isn’t known if those cases occurred in New Orleans proper.
Telemundo KC took to their Facebook page and wrote a moving tribute in honor of Manzano.
“[Adan] was an exceptional professional and a rising star whose dedication and talent reflected excellence in his work. We will deeply miss Adam, his passion for sports and the contributions he made to the local community,” a portion of the post read.
Adan Manzano was a widower and single father, raising a 2-year-old daughter.
—
Photo: Getty/Telemundo KC/Kenner Police
HipHopWired Featured Video
A$AP Relli took the stand on Tuesday (Jan. 28) during former friend A$AP Rocky’s shooting trial, revealing more details about the 2021 incident. During his time on the stand, A$AP Relli claims he allegedly demanded that A$AP Rocky use the gun at the center of the matter in a show of bravado although Relli reportedly testified he never saw a firearm on Rocky’s person before their confrontation.
TMZ reports that A$AP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, took the stand and shared his side of the story regarding the alleged incident. Relli and Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, were childhood friends in New York and came up together as Rocky rose the ranks in music and fashion as part of the A$AP Mob collective. Relli says the issues began when a day before the November 6, 2021 shooting, he overheard a call between Rocky and A$AP Bari that was disparaging toward him and the longtime friendship fizzled from there.
The next day, Reli and Rocky planned to meet in Hollywood and the testimony from Relli claims that Rocky arrived with two other individuals with the idea of hashing out their differences in person. During the testimony, Relli claims he told Rocky, “You better use that sh*t, what the f*ck you got a gun for?” and added, “I was willing to die for my respect. If this is what you want to do, I still have my dignity.”
Relli claims he was grazed on the knuckle after Rocky fired at him. Rocky’s attorney says that the gun in the matter was a stage prop and therefore could not have fired a bullet nor were there casings found.
Rihanna, the mother of Rocky’s children, was in the gallery during the testimony in a show of support. Also taking the stand was an LAPD officer Tommy Zizzo, the son of Erika Jayne who starred in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills franchise.
A$AP Rocky is facing two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and faces a maximum of 24 years behind bars if the trial leads to a conviction. Rocky has previously rejected a plea deal.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
A Las Vegas judge has decided not to dismiss the murder case against Duane “Keffe D” Davis in the slaying of Tupac “2Pac” Shakur. Keffe D has been behind bars since being charged in September 2024 with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang.
As reported by local outlet Las Vegas Review-Journal, Duane “Keffe D” David, 61, sought to have the case dismissed after his attorney filed a motion earlier this month stating that prosecutors delayed their proceedings and violated an agreement of immunity from prosecution. In return, prosecutors entered their file which stated Davis doesn’t have any quantifiable proof that he should be immune from prosecution.
District Judge Carli Kierny heard arguments from both sides and went with the prosecution’s suggestion that the state “never gave [Keffe D] immunity,” which prompted Davis’ attorney Carl Arnold to say he’ll mull over the decision to file for an appeal in Nevada’s highest court.
“You’re not just going to dismiss the biggest case in the U.S. right off the bat,” Arnold said in a statement. “But you have to put these issues out for an appellate court.”
In 1996, 2Pac was gunned down in a drive-by shooting that also injured Death Row Records honcho Marion “Suge Knight. Prosecutors have stated that the incident was allegedly inspired by tensions between the South Side Crips, who counted Davis as a member according to reports, and the Mob Piru gang, a spinoff Bloods gang and rivals to the Crips. The shooting was said to largely be connected to a fight at the MGM Grand between Knight, Shakur, and Orlando Anderson, a nephew of Davis’
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Roy Rochlin / Getty
A$AP Rocky has elected to reject a plea deal in his ongoing assault case in Los Angeles which would have seen him serve 180 days behind bars for accepting one of the felony counts. Now, a jury selection process is underway and A$AP Rocky could face up to 24 years in prison.
The Associated Press reports that A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, declined to take the plea deal after initially pleading not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm back in 2022. Rocky, 36, is accused of opening fire on childhood friend Terell “A$AP Relli” Ephron in Hollywood back in 2021.
The terms of the deal were for Rocky to plead guilty to one of the aforementioned felony counts, with Los Angeles County prosecutors suggesting a seven-year suspended sentence, three-year probation, and a six-month jail sentence.
According to Rocky’s attorney, the defense will call on witnesses to take the stand in the trial and deliver testimony that the gun Rocky fired was a starter pistol used as a security measure and not a full-on semiautomatic weapon as the charges state.
Rocky is the husband of singer and fashion powerhouse Rihanna and the pair are parents to two toddler boys. Rocky was also preparing the release of his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, via his ASAP Worldwide imprint alongside Polo Grounds/RCA.
The courts surveyed over 100 potential jurors in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom and as of Wednesday (Jan. 22), the full measure of 12 jurors have not been selected. Opening statements will be televised once the trial officially begins.
If found guilty, A$AP Rocky could face up to 24 years behind bars.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Kid Cudi was the victim of a home burglary that went on a little longer than it should have after the perpetrator was caught making himself a bit too comfortable and was eventually caught. The man was seen on Kid Cudi’s security system having a meal, a shower, and even using the bathroom before authorities nabbed him.
TMZ reports that the Los Angeles home of Kid Cudi, real name Scott Mescudi, was burglarized this week, with footage from Wednesday (Jan. 15) showing the shirtless man using the shower, having a meal, relieving himself, and generally enjoying the fruits of Cudi’s labor tax-free. Police arrived at the home around 5 PM local time and took the unidentified suspect into custody without incident.
Cudder wasn’t home when the crime took place so thankfully he was unharmed. It wasn’t listed in the report if any items from the home were stolen or if the man was just making a much-needed pit stop being going about his day. As the outlet notes, the breaking and entering came with a high ticket of. felony burglary and theft of utilities along with being held behind bars on $150,000 bail.
Cudi has been busy on both the acting and music front with his role in the Knuckles series starring Idris Elba, along with a role in M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap film. Cudi also released his two studio albums, Isano and Insano (Nitro Mega).
So far, Kid Cudi hasn’t made a public statement about the crime or the arrest.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: JD Barnes / for Cassius
Method Man, born Clifford Smith, 53, is being accused of assaulting a man at a Crunch Fitness gymnasium in Staten Island. The kicker is that the alleged receiver of the Wu-Tang Clan rapper and actor’s flying fists of Shaolin was his daughter’s ex-boyfriend.
Details are still scant, but the New York Post first reported about an assault on what the rag described as a “family friend” that occurred on Thursday, January 16. Reportedly, Method Man, allegedly struck Patrick Sokoya, 28, seven times in the face “with a closed fist” according to the cops.
Reportedly, the fisticuffs stemmed from a past relationship Sokoya had with the Iron Lung’s daughter (who is a rapper herself), which was over 10 years ago. Sokoya told the police that he felt dizzy but he passed on medical attention. Although a complaint was filed with NYPD, Method Man was not arrested.
We’re thinking there is a lot more to this story—but don’t expect Meth to give up the goods and you can bet this will be quietly settled, out of court. A rep for Method Man did tell the Post, “Mr. Smith categorically denies the allegations as reported and has not been the subject of an arrest by any law enforcement agency.”
Method Man being at a Crunch gym shouldn’t be a surprise since over the past years he has taken his health seriously and has spoken about heading to the gym early to get his workouts in to various outlets, including CassiusLife.com.
Considering what details we do have, we hope Method Man’s hand is okay. Respectfully.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin / Getty
Newly released bodycam footage shows a pretty tense run-in between rapper/actor Ice-T and a cop during a traffic stop in Hudson County, New Jersey, last May.
Ice-T, known for his iconic role as NYPD detective “Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola” on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, was pulled over near a DMV office while driving his Porsche. The incident unfolded as Ice-T attempted to address registration issues with the vehicle.
According to the footage, the 66-year-old entertainer explained he was headed to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) following a system outage that occurred when he’d tried to update his paperwork before. Despite the minor traffic offense, things escalated quickly, with both sides becoming frustrated. At one point, Ice-T asked if he was being arrested before questioning the officer’s right to tow the car. Things became so intense they called for a supervisor, who helped calm things down.
Ultimately, Ice-T got four tickets for expired tags, no inspection, and other paperwork problems. But his car wasn’t towed, and he was allowed to finish with the paperwork at the DMV to bring the vehicle registration current.
The footage has caused some online debate, with many wondering how the stop was handled and others pointing out how hard it is to stay calm in stressful situations.
This incident adds to the ongoing conversation about law enforcement and how public figures are treated. Even though things got tense, it didn’t escalate further, making people think about the balance between authority and respect in these situations.
Law & Order Star Ice-T Goes Off on Cop During Traffic Stop pic.twitter.com/N8Xp1x0WVC
— Bodycam Videos 🚔📹 (@BodycamVideos_) January 3, 2025
HipHopWired Featured Video
Lil Durk is currently behind bars awaiting trial for his role in a murder-for-hire plot that targeted Quando Rondo but instead left the rapper’s cousin shot and killed in 2022. In new court documents that were recently filed, Lil Durk’s trial has been postponed until October of this year as officials will comb through 230 gigabytes of digital evidence.
As shared by independent legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, Lil Durk was slated to go on trial next week as seen in the filing made on Dec. 31 to the United States District Court, Central District of California. Cuniff combed through the filing and discovered that Durk’s new trial date will be Oct. 14 as the state continues to examine its haul of evidence as prosecutors continue to build out their case.
Cuniff shared that Durk’s co-defendant Asa “Boogie” Houston is opposing the trial postponement while another co-defendant Deandre “DeDe” Wilson appears to be seeking a plea deal after requesting a pre-plea sentence report.
The discovery portion of the matter focuses on “approximately 230 GB of digital evidence such as audio/video recordings and surveillance footage, and approximately 20,000 pages of reports concerning murder and other violent acts, photographs, witness statements, and medical documents.”
It is expected that Lil Durk will remain behind bars until the trial after being denied bond due to a potential flight risk. The Chicago star was arrested while en route to a Florida airport that was reportedly heading to Europe before he was cornered and arrested.
Meghann Cuniff’s thread from X regarding the matter can be viewed below.
Rapper Lil Durk is looking at a new trial date of October 14 in his murder-for-hire case in Los Angeles, according to a stipulation today from federal prosecutors and the defense. pic.twitter.com/XtMjADEOPd
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) December 31, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
—
Photo: Getty