LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury of five men and seven women was seated Thursday for the trial of rapper A$AP Rockywho is charged with firing a gun at a former friend in 2021.
Opening statements at the Los Angeles trial of the 36-year-old hip-hop superstar and fashion maven will begin Friday after the 12 jurors and four alternates are sworn in.
Rocky turned down a prosecution plea offer of 180 days in jail to risk years in prison if the jurors find him guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer says he committed no crime.
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He opted instead to risk trial on two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearmcharges that with conviction bring a penalty of up to 24 years in prison.
It took the two sides 2 1/2 days to pick the jurors from a pool of more than a hundred candidates who packed into a downtown LA courtroom. Those chosen include a woman who is a podcast editor and actor, and a man who has worked for more than 20 years at Trader Joe’s. The last alternate seated is a retired judge.
Many were excused for cause, others sent away by one of the two sides. Each had 10 jurors they could excuse without a reason. The defense used seven of their challenges, the prosecution just two.
One man questioned Thursday works as a civilian with the Los Angeles Police Department and has extensive ties to law enforcement including a cousin who was on the case’s witness list but is not expected to be called.
After the judge declined to dismiss him for cause, Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina took him off the jury.
“Here’s a shocker, we’re going to thank and excuse juror number 27.”
Attitudes toward police were a common topic during jury selection. In several heated moments, Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold, a former sheriff’s deputy, questioned those who said they mistrusted police, nearly debating with some of them.
He asked one woman, a speech pathologist, whether he should mistrust all speech pathologists based on his bad experience with one.
When another woman brought up police corruption, Arnold demanded she “tell me about the documented corruption at LAPD that you must’ve either read about or heard.”
When she brought up the Rodney King case, he asked, “You are going to hold against current police something that happened before they were born?”
Many questions were about the fame of both Rocky and especially Rihanna, his longtime life partner and the mother of his two toddler children. She was not in court Thursday, and it’s not certain whether she will show up during the trial.
“What if Rihanna comes here to court, is it going to be hard for you to look over there, and see the defendant’s family, and deliver a guilty verdict?” Deputy District Attorney John Lewin asked one woman.
After a long pause, she said “yes.”
Rocky is accused of firing three or four shots at Terell Ephron, a friend from his teenage years, on the streets of Hollywood in 2021. Ephron said the shots grazed his knuckles. Rocky has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers say he wasn’t even holding a real gun, but a starter pistol he used as a prop.
Inside the A$AP Rocky Trial: Legal Expert Dr. Emily Carter weighs In on the High-Profile Case
The trial of hip-hop superstar A$AP Rocky has captured national attention as the rapper faces felony charges for allegedly firing a gun at a former friend in Hollywood. With the jury now seated, the case raises critical questions about celebrity influence, legal strategy, and the complexities of assault charges. To shed light on the proceedings, we spoke with Dr. Emily Carter, a criminal law specialist and professor at UCLA, to break down the key aspects of this high-profile trial.
The Jury Selection Process: A Closer Look
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter, the jury selection process for A$AP Rocky’s trial took two and a half days and involved over a hundred candidates. What stood out to you about how the defense and prosecution approached this process?
Dr. Emily Carter: The jury selection was fascinating, particularly because of the high-profile nature of the case.Both sides were clearly mindful of potential biases, especially given Rocky’s celebrity status and his relationship with Rihanna. The defense used seven of their ten peremptory challenges, which suggests they were very selective about who they wanted on the jury. Such as,they dismissed a juror with ties to law enforcement,likely to avoid any perceived bias in favor of the prosecution. On the other hand, the prosecution only used two challenges, which might indicate they felt confident about the pool they had.
Senior Editor: There were some heated moments during jury selection, particularly around attitudes toward law enforcement. How do you think these discussions might impact the trial?
Dr. Emily Carter: These discussions are crucial as they reveal potential biases that coudl influence the jury’s decision-making. As a notable example, when Judge Arnold questioned jurors about their trust in the police, he was trying to gauge whether they could remain impartial. The Rodney King case came up, which is a significant reference point for many people when discussing police accountability. If jurors have strong feelings about law enforcement, it could affect how they perceive the evidence presented, especially since the case involves allegations of gunfire and assault.
The Role of Celebrity in the trial
Senior editor: A$AP Rocky’s fame, as well as his relationship with Rihanna, has been a recurring theme in this case. How do you think celebrity status might influence the trial’s outcome?
Dr. Emily Carter: Celebrity status can be a double-edged sword in trials like this. on one hand, it can create sympathy or bias in favor of the defendant, especially if jurors are fans or feel influenced by the defendant’s public persona. On the other hand, it can also lead to heightened scrutiny. For example, the prosecution asked a juror if she would struggle to deliver a guilty verdict if Rihanna were present in court.This highlights the concern that Rocky’s fame and personal life could overshadow the facts of the case.Ultimately, it’s up to the judge and attorneys to ensure that the trial remains focused on the evidence and the law.
The Defense’s Strategy: Starter Pistol vs.Real Gun
Senior Editor: Rocky’s defense team has argued that he was holding a starter pistol, not a real gun, during the alleged incident. How significant is this claim, and how might it impact the case?
Dr. Emily Carter: This is a critical part of the defense’s strategy. If they can prove that Rocky was using a starter pistol—a device typically used to signal the start of races or events—it could undermine the prosecution’s claim that he intended to cause harm. Starter pistols are not designed to fire live ammunition, so if the defense can demonstrate that the weapon was incapable of causing serious injury, it could lead to reasonable doubt.Though, the prosecution will likely argue that the act of pointing any weapon, even a starter pistol, constitutes a threat. It will come down to how effectively each side presents their evidence and arguments.
Potential Outcomes and Sentencing
Senior Editor: rocky turned down a plea deal that would have resulted in 180 days in jail,opting instead to risk a trial that could lead to up to 24 years in prison. What are your thoughts on this decision?
Dr. Emily Carter: This is a high-stakes gamble. By rejecting the plea deal, Rocky is betting on his legal team’s ability to secure an acquittal or a lesser charge. If convicted, he could face significant prison time, which would have a profound impact on his career and personal life. However, the decision to go to trial also reflects his confidence in his defense and his belief in his innocence. It’s a calculated risk, but one that underscores the gravity of the charges and the potential consequences.
Conclusion
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter,thank you for your insights.As we wrap up, what do you think are the key takeaways from this trial so far?
dr. Emily Carter: This trial is a compelling example of how celebrity, legal strategy, and public perception intersect in high-profile cases.The jury selection process revealed deep-seated attitudes about law enforcement and fame, while the defense’s focus on the starter pistol introduces an intriguing element of doubt. Ultimately, the outcome will hinge on the jury’s ability to separate the facts from the noise and deliver a verdict based on the evidence. It’s a case that will undoubtedly continue to draw attention as it unfolds.
