Background of the Case
A$AP Rocky, the famous American rapper whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, pleaded not guilty on Monday to felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He is accused of shooting fellow rapper and former friend A$AP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, during an altercation in Hollywood in November 2021 [1].
A$AP Rocky and A$AP Relli were once friends who grew up together in Harlem, but had a falling out. Relli sued Rocky in August 2022, claiming the rapper lured him to an location in Hollywood, where two men approached and fired shots at him. Relli was slightly injured in the shooting [2].
Rocky was arrested in April 2022 in connection with the shooting. He posted bail and had remained free until now. Rocky has claimed he was never at the scene of the shooting [3].
| Key Events |
|-|
| November 2021 | Alleged shooting of A$AP Relli by A$AP Rocky |
| April 2022 | A$AP Rocky arrested for assault charges |
| August 2022 | A$AP Relli sues A$AP Rocky |
| January 2023 | Trial date set for January 2023 |
| January 9, 2023 | A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty to charges |
Not Guilty Plea and Impending Trial
Flanked by his legal team, A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a firearm in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday [4]. He maintains his innocence and insists he was never present at the scene of the 2021 shooting involving A$AP Relli.
Jury selection for Rocky’s trial will begin on Monday, January 16, with opening arguments expected later in the week [5]. The trial is anticipated to last about two weeks [6].
If convicted on both charges, the 34-year-old rapper faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison for each count [7].
Reactions and What Happens Next
The impending trial has put increased media scrutiny on Rocky’s high-profile relationship with singer Rihanna. The two began dating in 2020 and welcomed a son in May 2022. Rihanna has been publicly supportive of Rocky throughout the case [8].
Industry insiders speculate that Rocky’s brand partnerships and business ventures may be negatively impacted if he is found guilty. But many fans continue to stand behind him and have taken to social media to voice theories about the case and alleged ulterior motives of the accuser [9].
Jury selection will begin next week and ultimately determine the makeup of the 12-person jury who will decide Rocky’s fate. The defense is expected to claim Rocky wasn’t at the scene of the shooting, while prosecutors seem poised to present evidence alleging his involvement[10].
The trial will likely unveil details about bad blood between the two rappers and shine a light on hip-hop beefs and crew rivalries. Depending on the outcome, A$AP Rocky could be headed to prison or be allowed to return home to his family and music career.
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