A$AP Rocky
Assault trial underway in LA
Published
A$AP RockyThe aggravated assault trial began Friday morning … days after the Grammy-nominated rapper turned down a plea deal. If he's found guilty, he could face 24 years in prison – and we'll be broadcasting the whole thing live.
Rocky's lawyer, Joe Tacopinaspeaks to the judge in a downtown LA courtroom.
The two sides are arguing over evidence related to bullet casings – and the judge has ruled that the defense is free to consult a firearms expert at the court's expense. However, no evidence has been excluded, but nothing they argued about is allowed to be mentioned in their opening statements, and they are now bringing in the jury.
Prosecutors first turned to the jury and told them that while the case may seem complicated from the outside, it's actually quite simple – and the prosecutor points to videos that allegedly show Rocky allegedly threatening A$AP Relli .
Rihannawas brought up by prosecutors in the first few minutes of their opening statement … with the lawyers sharing a picture of Rocky and RiRi together at an event. As we told you, so was she mentioned when selecting the jury.
A$AP Rocky – official name Rakim Mayers — is accused of firing a gun at a former employee at a Hollywood hotel in 2021. He was charged in 2022 with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
Like we told you … Terell Ephron — AKA A$AP RelliPart of the A$AP Mob – claims Rocky threatened to kill him before the rapper allegedly pulled the trigger on the night of the incident. At the time, Relli was treated for a minor hand injury.
In addition to Rocky and Relli, the juror will hear from three other A$AP members in this trial, prosecutors say – A$AP Illz, A$AP Bari and A$AP 12vvy … it's unclear in what context they are mentioned become.
Tacopina says the weapon was a prop gun – a starter gun – that Rocky used for show.
In the Rocky rejected the plea dealProsecutors offered him 180 days in jail, a seven-year suspended sentence and three years of probation in exchange for a guilty plea to one of the charges.
TMZ.com
Tacopina told TMZ … aside from the proposed plea agreement being a career-ender for his client, “He will NOT accept a plea deal because he has always maintained his innocence.”
Rocky pleaded not guilty in 2022 and was released on bail. The police had carried out a raid Rocky's home in 2022, shortly after returning from a trip to Barbados Rihannathe mother of his 2 sons.
The jury was selected Thursday — seven men and five women — but not a single one of them is Black.