A$AP Rocky has received a start date for his trial in connection with the November 2021 Los Angeles shooting.
On Thursday (May 23), Hot97 reported that he has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault involving a semi-automatic firearm and will stand trial on October 21 this year. The trial date follows a series of legal proceedings stemming from an alleged incident in which Rocky allegedly pointed a semi-automatic pistol at his former friend and collaborator A$AP Relli and shot him outside a Hollywood hotel.
Superior Court Judge Karla Kerlin also scheduled two preliminary hearings for June 28 and Aug. 2. Rocky was reportedly not in court when preliminary hearing and trial dates were announced.
There have been significant developments in the case in recent months. Last November, Superior Court Judge ML Villar ruled that there was enough evidence for A$AP Rocky to stand trial, despite attempts by A$AP Rocky’s lawyers to raise challenges. Rocky reiterated his plea of not guilty in January, and his attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued that his client was the true victim of the incident and wanted a trial as soon as possible.
During a preliminary hearing in the case, video of the incident was reviewed and confirmed there was a scuffle but did not clearly show the shooting. During the confrontation, Reilly testified, Rocky allegedly said, “I’m going to kill you right now,” before shooting and grazing Reilly’s hand. He claimed Rocky fired two or three more shots before running away.
Tacopina has previously stressed that it wants to avoid delays and initially aims to start trials in September. He expressed confidence that the trial would reveal Rocky’s innocence and allow him to live with his family, which includes his two children with long-term partner Rihanna.
“We’re going to try this case in court,” Tacopina told reporters, according to Courthouse News Service. “When we do that, the facts will come out and prove that he is indeed innocent. And he was the one responsible for this.” The victim of the case.
In addition to the criminal charges, Relli is suing A$AP Rocky for assault and defamation, accusing him and Tacopina of labeling him a blackmailer in the media. Watch the videotape played at a preliminary court hearing last year.
