A$AP Rocky’s long-delayed trial on assault charges will begin Tuesday with jury selection in Los Angeles.
The 36-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, stands accused of firing two bullets at an old friend, Terrell Ephron, in Hollywood in 2021 and striking him in the hands. He has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold said he wants the jury to be seated rather quickly and placed limits on the time for questioning prospective jurors. Rocky’s trial is expected to last about three weeks.
Rihanna, who shares two children with Rocky and has been dating him since 2020, is unlikely to attend the trial, according to defense attorneys. The “Praise the Lord” artist faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted.
According to prosecutors, Rocky fired two gunshots at Ephron amid an argument on Nov. 6, 2021. Ephron used to be a member of the rap group A$AP Mob, performing under the name A$AP Relli.
The two men had a falling out after Rocky promised to pay for a funeral and Ephron lambasted him for not coming through. However, Ephron later learned that Rocky did pay for the services.
On the day of the shooting, they met outside a Hollywood hotel along with other members of the A$AP Mob. According to investigators, surveillance cameras in the area captured Rocky holding a gun, the sound of two gunshots and Rocky quickly rounding a corner after the gunfire.
Rocky’s legal team has maintained that their client is confident he will be acquitted at trial.
“The evidence we have that they don’t know about is going to be devastating — devastating,” attorney Joe Tacopina said after Rocky pleaded not guilty in January 2024.
With News Wire Services
