A$AP Rocky’s ongoing legal case took center stage on Sidebar, a legal analysis show on the Law & Crime Network on YouTube. The latest discussions with host Jesse Cord Weber Esq. and guest renowned criminal defense attorney Bradford Cohen, Esq. who has represented high profile clients like Drake and Kodak Black ,they focused on video evidence of an altercation between the rapper and his former associate, Ephron, an ex-member of A$AP Mob. Attorneys on the show debated a crucial aspect of the case: whether Rocky’s firearm was a starter pistol or a semi-automatic weapon—a distinction that could significantly impact the defense.

The Video Evidence & Courtroom Debate
In CCTV footage presented in court, A$AP Rocky and Ephron can be seen engaged in a heated exchange, gripping each other’s shirts at the neck area. A$AP Illz, another member of A$AP Mob, attempts to de-escalate the situation by separating them. However, at various points, the two men move in and out of the camera’s frame, leaving gaps in what is visible.
At one moment, the footage shows a gun in Rocky’s possession, pointed towards the ground and later positioned behind him. However, Ephron’s legal team claims that during the moments when they were off-camera, Rocky pointed the gun at Ephron’s chest. Multiple camera angles were presented in court as prosecutors attempted to prove Rocky was wielding a firearm in a threatening manner.
The Firearm Debate: Starter Pistol or Semi-Automatic?
On Sidebar, Bradford Cohen, Esq., questioned whether the defense could argue that Rocky’s firearm was merely a starter pistol. He pointed out that starter pistols are not semi-automatic, while the evidence visually suggests the gun had semi-automatic features. If the prosecution can establish that the firearm was a real weapon, it could weaken Rocky’s defense.
Another significant issue raised was the shell casings from the alleged shooting. According to Bradford Cohen, Esq., Ephron—not the police—produced the shell casings, raising serious concerns about potential evidence tampering. He argued that this weakens the prosecution’s case and suggested that their failure to properly address this issue in court was a major oversight.
The Defense Strategy: “This Case is About Money”
A$AP Rocky’s defense team, led by Joe Tacopina, has framed Ephron as a man motivated by greed. In their opening statement, they argued that the fallout between the two was over money, not violence. The defense highlighted Ephron’s history of exploiting the legal system for financial gain and pointed to his lavish lifestyle on social media as evidence of his motives. Tacopina emphasized this argument by stating:
> “Ladies and gentlemen, this case is all about the money.”
Additionally, Ephron has filed a separate lawsuit seeking damages, which remains on hold until the criminal trial concludes—further reinforcing the defense’s claim that his motivations are purely financial.
Should A$AP Rocky Take the Stand?
Bradford Cohen, Esq., also suggested on Sidebar that A$AP Rocky should not testify during the trial. Given the complexities of the case and the prosecution’s focus on the firearm, Cohen believes Rocky’s testimony could expose him to unnecessary legal risks.
As the trial progresses, legal experts continue to analyze the evidence, courtroom arguments, and defense strategies. Stay tuned for regular updates on Ghanaweekend.com, where we’ll bring you the latest developments in this high-profile case.
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