A$AP Rocky, the 36-year-old rapper and Grammy nominee, is set to go on trial in January next year in Los Angeles. He is facing charges of firing a gun at a former friend and collaborator near a Hollywood hotel in 2021. The trial is scheduled to commence with jury selection on January 21, where Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Originally, the trial was supposed to commence on November 12, but Rocky’s legal team requested a postponement as he is scheduled to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in Thailand next month. Superior Court Judge Mark S. Arnold has agreed to allow video cameras to broadcast the trial, which is anticipated to last about two weeks.
During a recent hearing, the judge inquired about the attendance of Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and mother of his children, to make necessary security arrangements. However, it remains uncertain if Rihanna will attend the trial regularly. Previously, another judge ruled that Rocky must stand trial for allegedly shooting at Terell Ephron, a childhood friend. Ephron testified that their relationship had deteriorated, leading to a confrontation on November 6, 2021, during which he was grazed by bullets.
If convicted on all charges, Rocky could face up to 24 years in prison. Despite the trial delay, Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, expressed confidence in his client’s innocence, stating that Rocky is keen to clear his name. Notably, Rocky’s upcoming participation as a celebrity chair at the Met Gala in May alongside other prominent figures might be affected by the trial outcome.
The legal proceedings surrounding A$AP Rocky’s trial have garnered significant attention, given his status as a renowned figure in the music and fashion industries. The public eagerly awaits the trial’s outcome as Rocky strives to defend himself against the serious allegations he faces.