Thomas Zizzo, son of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH) star Erika Jayne, is making headlines as a crucial witness in the ongoing assault trial of rapper A$AP Rocky. Zizzo, who serves as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), took the stand this week to testify about the 2021 shooting incident involving Rocky and his former friend, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron).
Zizzo has kept a low profile due to his professional career, but his appearance in court has attracted attention. He is the first witness to testify in the trial, and his connection to the case is particularly notable because he was one of the officers who responded to the shooting incident. Zizzo’s mother, Erika Jayne, has always kept her son’s private life out of the spotlight. She rarely talks about him on social media to respect his privacy. However, in 2020, she posted a picture of Zizzo sporting a full cop outfit. The post was later deleted with the comments turned off.
The Assault Incident: A$AP Rocky Faces Serious Charges
The shooting incident in question occurred in Hollywood, California, outside a parking garage in November 2021. Reports indicate that an argument between Rocky and A$AP Relli escalated, and the rapper allegedly fired a gun at his former friend. The incident resulted in one bullet grazing Relli’s left hand, but no one was seriously injured.
Rakim Mayers, who is popularly known as Rocky, was arrested on his return from a high-profile trip to Barbados with his then-pregnant girlfriend, Rihanna. He was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and his bail was set at $550,000.
A$AP Rocky’s Defense Strategy
In court, Joe Tacopina, Rocky’s attorney, gave a solid defense that concentrated on the credibility of the accuser. Tacopina claimed that the surveillance footage that was presented in court was inconclusive and could not be used as the basis for the case. He maintained that the testimony of the alleged victim was of greater importance because the accusations were made out of “jealousy, lies, and greed.
Furthermore, Tacopina responded to the prosecution’s claims by stating that the gun in question was a “starter pistol”, designed to shoot blanks, not live ammunition. This is crucial information for Rocky’s defense because it would alter the nature of the assault.
A$AP Rocky Faces Potential Prison Time
A$AP Rocky is charged with serious crimes, and, if convicted, could serve up to 24 years in prison. Despite the legal challenges, the rapper himself has stood firm in asserting innocence, and his legal team has refused multiple plea offers. One such offer put him on 180 days in jail, a seven-year suspended sentence, and three years of probation. Rocky did not accept because he believed it would have spelled disaster for his career.
The insider added that entering the plea bargain would mean forfeiting his millions of dollars endorsement deals, especially with big brand names such as Gucci and Puma, and he could not tour any further to be done with it.
The trial continues: what’s at stake?
The trial has begun with about three weeks projected running time. A$AP Rocky has charges of criminal offenses but also stands to lose his public image and career outcome from the trial. Every action taken by the defense will be under the spotlight as all wait for the testimony of the critical witnesses, among them Thomas Zizzo.
The case has received so much media attention due to the celebrities involved: Rocky and Erika Jayne. It also presents a complicated situation of the relationship between celebrity, law enforcement, and the judicial process in celebrity trials.
So much is at stake for the rapper and his former friend. The verdict in this case will determine everyone’s future.
