ASAP Rocky is standing trial in Los Angeles after pleading not guilty to assault with a semiautomatic firearm in connection with an alleged 2021 shooting.
Tuesday, per a report from the Associated Press, jury selection was slated to start in the case, which sees Rocky accused of firing a gun at Terell Ephron in the Hollywood area. Ephron, of course, is perhaps best known by his former title, ASAP Relli. In April 2022, LAPD officials announced that Rocky, then 33, had been arrested in connection with the alleged shooting.
“On November 6, 2021, around 10:15 p.m., an argument between two acquaintances occurred in the area of Selma Avenue and Argyle Avenue, in the Hollywood Area,” police said at the time. “The argument escalated and resulted in the suspect firing a handgun at the victim. The victim sustained a minor injury from the incident and later sought his medical treatment. Following the shooting, the suspect and two additional males fled the area on foot.”
In August 2022, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón shared his own statement.
“Discharging a gun in a public place is a serious offense that could have ended with tragic consequences not only for the person targeted but also for innocent bystanders visiting Hollywood,” Gascón said.
Rocky has pleaded not guilty in the case. More recently, Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said his client was “eager to tell his story.” Tacopina, whose past clients include Donald Trump, told Rolling Stone’s Nancy Dillon earlier this month that the case against Rocky is “fundamentally weak.”
Tuesday, per tweeted reports from Dillon and oft-cited independent reporter Meghann Cuniff, Rocky, as expected, turned down a plea deal offer. The deal would have reportedly seen Rocky spending 180 days in jail.
Rocky’s most recent studio album, Testing, arrived back in 2018. In the years since, fans have been awaiting the arrival of the tentatively titled Don’t Be Dumb, which at one point was teased to feature Morrissey.
