Jury selection for a trial involving A$AP Rocky is set to commence on Tuesday. The rapper faces serious charges, including the allegation that he fired a firearm at a former acquaintance, and a potential conviction could lead to a prison term of many years.
The 36-year-old musician has entered a plea of not guilty to two felony counts related to assault with a semiautomatic weapon. His legal counsel maintains that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. A$AP Rocky, who is also known for his ventures in fashion and film, shares two young sons with his longtime partner, Rihanna. It remains uncertain whether Rihanna will attend the court proceedings in support of Rocky, though his lawyer has indicated that her presence is not expected.
The hip-hop artist was named one of the celebrity chairs for the upcoming Met Gala, scheduled for May, and he is set to star in an upcoming film directed by Spike Lee alongside actor Denzel Washington. However, his professional life may be drastically affected if he is convicted of the charges, which stem from an incident that allegedly occurred in Hollywood in 2021, potentially resulting in a lengthy prison sentence of up to 24 years.
During a pretrial hearing, Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold emphasized the importance of fairness in the judicial process, stating he would ensure that all jurors are treated equally, regardless of the defendant’s social status. He expressed intentions to quickly assemble the jury, while also imposing strict guidelines on the duration of attorneys’ questioning of prospective jurors.
Opening arguments in the case could take place as early as Wednesday, with the judge permitting media coverage of the trial once a jury is selected. Earlier this year, another judge determined that A$AP Rocky should face trial after a preliminary hearing revealed testimony from Terell Ephron, a childhood friend, about the deterioration of their relationship. Ephron recounted an encounter on the night of November 6, 2021, during which he alleged that gunfire led to bullets grazing his knuckles, intensifying their earlier disputes.
