A$AP Rocky has turned down a plea deal ahead of his firearm assault trial, which officially began this week. According to reports from Rolling Stone’s Nancy Dillon, the New York rapper declined the prosecution’s offer, which would have required him to plead guilty to a single charge of assault. If accepted, the plea deal would have resulted in 180 days in county jail, a seven year suspended prison sentence, and three years of probation.
Despite the offer, the “D.M.B.” artist, who has consistently maintained his innocence since his 2023 charges, firmly declined, stating, “I respectfully decline, thank you.”
The 34 year old rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He stands accused of firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli, during an argument near a Hollywood hotel in November 2021. Ephron claims that the bullet grazed his hand, though no major injuries were reported.
After the incident, A$AP Rocky was arrested several months later in connection with the shooting. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted on both counts, the rapper could face up to 24 years in prison.
In the pre-trial hearings, Rocky’s attorney, Jose Tacopina, emphasized that the rapper is eager to tell his side of the story. Tacopina revealed his plan to challenge the prosecution’s case, stating that he would call on two witnesses to testify that the firearm shown in footage from 2023 was actually a “starter pistol” a prop that Rocky reportedly carries for security purposes and not as a weapon.
Currently, jury selection for the trial is underway, with 12 jurors and alternates being chosen. Once finalized, opening statements will commence, and the trial will officially begin, determining the future of A$AP Rocky.
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