Trial date set for rap artist ASAP Rocky accused of firing a gun at former friend

AMERICAN RAP ARTIST ASAP Rocky is set to go to trial in Los Angeles early next year on charges that he fired a gun at a former friend and collaborator on the streets near a Hollywood hotel in 2021.

The trial of the 36-year-old rapper, fashion mogul, Grammy nominee and celebrity co-chairman of the next Met Gala is set to begin with jury selection on 21 January.

He has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

The trial had been scheduled to start on 12 November, but his team asked at a hearing today that it be postponed because he is headlining the Rolling Loud music festival in Thailand next month.

Superior Court Judge Mark S Arnold said he will allow video cameras to air the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks.

“I believe that the public deserves to see what goes on in the courtroom,” the judge said.

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He asked defence lawyer Joe Tacopina whether Rihanna, with whom Rocky is in a relationship and has two children, plans to attend the trial so he could make proper security accommodations.

Tacopina said he does not know, but “I almost guarantee not every day”.

Another judge ruled after a preliminary hearing nearly a year ago that Rocky, who’s real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, should stand trial for allegedly firing a gun at Terell Ephron.

Ephron was a childhood friend of Mayers, who testified that their relationship had soured and a feud came to a head on the night of 6 November 2021. Ephron said that bullets grazed his knuckles.

Mayers could be sentenced to 24 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Defence lawyer Tacopina said that he was confident Rocky would clear his name, and that despite the delay, “he’s eager to get to trial”.

“Having this hanging over his head is not something he wants,” he added.

Rocky was recently selected to be a celebrity co-chairman at the Met Gala in May along with recording artist Pharrell Williams, F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, actor Colman Domingo and basketball star LeBron James, though the result of the trial could complicate his ability to attend.