A$AP Rocky is set to appear in court next week for his gun assault trial, but his relationship with Rihanna came into the spotlight during a hearing on Wednesday (January 15).
Jury selection is scheduled for Tuesday (Jan. 21), and Judge Mark S. Arnold sought to clarify some issues. He plans to ask potential jurors if they are familiar with rapper or superstar songstress Rihanna, the mother of his two children.
However, Judge Arnold was unsure of the couple’s marital status, asking Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, how he should refer to Rihanna.
Tacopina wasn’t sure if they were married, but confirmed they had two children and called Rihanna his “common-law wife.”
While Judge Arnold said he would “call the singer whatever he wants,” Deputy District Attorney John Lewin wasn’t satisfied. He requested that Rihanna be called Rocky’s wife only if they were legally married.
“If they were legally married anywhere, she would be his wife,” Arnold replied. “If they were not legally married anywhere, she would be his significant other.”
A$AP Rocky often refers to Rihanna as his wife, and the two even appeared to walk down the aisle in a music video, but they are not yet married.
The couple confirmed their relationship in 2020 and welcomed their first son, RZA Athelston Mayers, in May 2022.
A$AP Rocky considers testifying
Meanwhile, Tacopina said A$AP Rocky is considering testifying in the upcoming trial, saying “he’s eager to tell his story and would welcome the opportunity to do so.”
Prosecutors charged A$AP Rocky with the 2021 shooting death of former friend A$AP Relli, who testified that Rocky threatened him before shooting, one of which grazed his hand. Video evidence shows a scuffle but not the shooting. Tacopina still believes Rocky will be acquitted.
A$AP Rocky’s shooting trial is expected to begin on Tuesday. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, said Rocky was “eager” to testify but had not yet decided whether to testify.
Tacopina told Rolling Stone: “He’s a good guy and that will show if he testifies” pic.twitter.com/MImF2sjuNd
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) January 15, 2025
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