Jury selection begins Tuesday. Jan. 21, in A$AP Rocky’s highly anticipated gun trial. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
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The charges stem from a 2021 incident in Los Angeles where he allegedly fired a gun at his former friend, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli. Rocky has pleaded not guilty.
The trial is expected to last 15 days, with Rocky ordered to appear in court each day. Prosecutors have stated they plan to offer him a plea deal before the trial fully begins.
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Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, argues that the case against the rapper is weak. He pointed out a lack of physical evidence, including no fingerprints or shell casings linking Rocky to the alleged shooting.
“I think if there were things for them to find, they would have found them,” Tacopina told reporters after a pretrial hearing on Jan. 15.
Spotlight on Rocky and Rihanna
The trial has also brought attention to Rocky’s personal life. His relationship with Rihanna, the mother of his two children, was a topic of discussion during a recent pretrial hearing that sparked social media buzz.
At the hearing, Judge Mark Arnold asked whether Rocky and Rihanna were legally married. Tacopina referred to Rihanna as Rocky’s “common-law wife,” but the judge ruled she could only be called his wife if they were legally wed.
Spousal privilege, which prevents one spouse from testifying against the other, only applies to legally married couples.
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Tacopina told reporters that Rocky is willing to testify and share his side of the story. However, as jury selection begins, the stakes remain high for the rapper. If convicted, Rocky could face up to 24 years in prison.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
The world may know him for his music and high fashion – but today – ASAP Rocky’s biggest stage is the courtroom as his highly anticipated gun trial kicks off.
Jury selection begins Tuesday in Los Angeles for the 36-year-old’s trial on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stem from a 2021 incident where he allegedly fired a gun at a former friend – Terell Ephron – also known as ASAP Relli. Rocky has pleaded not guilty.
Outside the courtroom, Rocky has been making headlines for his relationship with Rihanna. The pair – who have two children – were a topic of discussion during a recent pretrial hearing that sparked social media buzz.
“If they’re not legally married, we prefer that she not be referred to as his wife and if she’s just referred to as his significant other or mother of his child”
“Are they legally married anywhere?”
“I don’t know.”
The exchange stemmed from a question by Judge Mark Arnold, who asked if Rocky and Rihanna were legally married. Rocky’s attorney – Joe Tacopina – referred to her as his ‘common law wife’ but the judge ruled she could only be referred to as his wife if they were legally wed, which remains unclear. The distinction matters, as spousal privilege – which can prevent one spouse from testifying against the other – only applies to legally married couples.
Rocky has been ordered to appear in court each day for the duration of the trial which is expected to last 15 days. Prosecutors have indicated they will offer him a plea deal.
After the January 15th pretrial hearing, Tacopina told reporters he believes the case against Rocky is weak – citing the lack of fingerprints or shell casings linking him to the incident.
“I THINK IF THERE WERE THINGS FOR THEM TO FIND, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND THEM.”
Tacopina also shared that Rocky would welcome the opportunity to testify and tell his side of the story.
If convicted, Rocky could be sentenced to up to 24 years in prison. With SAN, I’m KF.
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