A$AP Rocky Rejects Plea Deal, Will Go to Trial in Felony Gun Case
A$AP Rocky has turned a final prosecution offer as jury selection began at his felony assault trial.
If you were unaware, the 36-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in August 2022. He was accused of shooting his former friend A$AP Relli. He pleaded not guilty in 2022. However, a judge ruled that the case will proceed with a criminal trial in late 2023.
On Tuesday (January 21), Rocky rejected one final plea deal from the Los Angeles County prosecutors and will now be going to trial.
Keep reading to find out more…The agreement offered to Rocky was to plead guilty to the two counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm. the prosecutors would also recommend a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and the six-month jail term, according to AP News.
Rocky told the judge that he respectfully declined the offer.
Also during the court appearance on Tuesday, Rocky‘s attorney Joe Tacopina said that the defense plans to call witnesses to testify that a firearm seen on a security video is a “starter pistol” that the rapper carried as a prop for security purposes.
A panel of more than 100 prospective jurors were summoned to the L.A. courtroom and opening statements in the case won’t begin until 12 jurors, and alternates, are seated. This will happen on either Wednesday (January 22) or later.
Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold said that he plans to seat the jury quickly, and is keeping strict limits on how long attorneys can question the prospective jurors.
“Mr. Mayers is an entertainer. His stage name is A$AP rocky. His life partner is also an entertainer. Her name is Rihanna,” Judge Arnold told the prospective jurors. “Because Mr. Mayers is an entertainer, a celebrity, that cannot harm him, and it cannot benefit him.”
If the jury finds Rocky guilty, he faces a maximum of 24 years in prison.
Rocky‘s attorney recently revealed if Rihanna will be involved in the trial.
Also pictured inside: A$AP Rocky stopping by a recording studio on Tuesday night (January 14) in New York City.