A$AP Rocky reportedly rejected a plea deal on the first day of his gun assault trial, with his lawyer claiming the rapper’s weapon was a prop.
A$AP rejects plea deal
Jury selection began on Tuesday (January 21) in the Harlem rapper’s trial. However, Rocky was given one last chance at a plea deal. If Rocky pleads guilty to one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, prosecutors will sentence him to three years of probation, seven years of probation and 180 days in county jail, Nancy Dillon of Rolling Stone reports. Rocky walked away from the deal, telling the judge “I respectfully decline.”
During the hearing, Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, provided some insight into their defense plan. Tacopina revealed that his legal team plans to call two witnesses who will testify that the gun Rocky was seen on surveillance cameras during the incident was just a prop he was carrying for security purposes.
XXL has reached out to A$AP Rocky’s attorney for comment.
READ MORE: Here are 9 courtroom sketches of rappers in major legal cases — does it look like them?
A$AP Rocky’s legal issues explained
A$AP Rocky was arrested on April 20, 2022, and charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for the November 6, 2021 shooting death of A$AP Relli. state, discussing the differences between two A$AP Mob members. Loki came with two others. The discussion became controversial, with Reilly claiming Rocky pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots in his direction, one of which struck Reilly in the hand. Five months after the incident, Rocky was taken into custody.
At a hearing in November 2023, the court was shown a video of the incident, which showed Rocky holding what appeared to be a gun during the argument. In January 2024, Rocky pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.
Read more: There will be some serious hip-hop endeavors in 2025
See the 47 longest jail terms in hip-hop history
C-Murder, Max B, BG, etc.
