A$AP Rocky Rejects Plea Deal and Faces 24 Years in Prison
A$AP Rocky Rejects Plea Deal, Faces 24 Years in Prison as Trial Begins
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A$AP Rocky Rejects Plea Deal, Faces 24 Years in Prison as Trial Begins
Hip-hop star A$AP Rocky has rejected a final plea deal in his ongoing criminal case, opting to take his chances in court.
As jury selection began on January 21, 2025, the 36-year-old rapper and fashion mogul faced the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted on charges that he fired a gun at his former friend, Terell Ephron, in Hollywood in 2021.
The prosecution’s plea offer had been clear: plead guilty to one of two felony assault charges related to the use of a semiautomatic firearm, and in return, receive a sentence recommendation of 180 days in jail, three years of probation, and a suspended seven-year sentence.
But Rocky, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, declined the offer, setting the stage for a trial that could send him to prison for up to 24 years.
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The incident in question dates back to November 6, 2021, when Rocky allegedly fired a gun during an altercation near a Hollywood hotel.
The alleged victim, Ephron—who is also known as A$AP Relli and was once a close friend of Rocky—claims that during the confrontation, he was grazed by bullets on his knuckles.
Ephron has said that their friendship soured over time, with the argument between the two escalating to the point of violence that night. Details of the incident are still being debated, but the fallout has led to a criminal case that has garnered significant media attention, especially given Rocky’s celebrity status.
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As the trial begins, Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, has revealed that they plan to present evidence suggesting that the firearm seen in a security video from the night of the shooting was not a real gun but rather a “starter pistol,” a prop used by Rocky for security purposes.
This new defense strategy had not been disclosed during pretrial hearings and could become a central part of the trial.
The defense will likely argue that the weapon was never intended for use in a criminal act and that the situation was misinterpreted or escalated in the heat of the moment.
Meanwhile, the prosecution maintains that Rocky’s actions were deliberate and that he used the weapon to intimidate and harm Ephron.
How the jury interprets the evidence and the motives behind the confrontation could play a crucial role in the trial’s outcome.
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The stakes for A$AP Rocky are high. If convicted, he faces up to 24 years in prison, a sentence that would drastically alter his career and personal life.
Known for his chart-topping music and fashion ventures, the rapper has built an empire that extends far beyond the music industry.
He is also a successful actor and the longtime partner of global superstar Rihanna. The couple shares two young sons, and their family life has been in the public eye since they began dating several years ago.
Despite the severity of the charges, it remains unclear whether Rihanna will appear in court to support her partner during the trial.
Her absence from the first day of proceedings suggests that she may not attend, though she has not publicly commented on the case.
Outside of the courtroom, A$AP Rocky’s career remains strong.
He is slated to play a major role in a Spike Lee-directed film alongside Denzel Washington, and he’s been named one of the celebrity chairs for the upcoming Met Gala in May 2025.
But all of this could be upended if the trial results in a conviction.
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Jury selection for the trial began on January 21, with more than 100 potential jurors summoned to a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
Judge Mark Arnold, who is presiding over the case, has expressed his intent to move the process along quickly, aiming to seat 12 jurors and several alternates within a matter of days.
Once the jury is selected, opening statements are expected to begin soon after, possibly later this week.
Given the high-profile nature of the case, the court has allowed media cameras to record the trial, which will likely draw significant attention.
Judge Arnold has also emphasized that the fact that Rocky is a celebrity should not influence the jury, noting that they must treat him like any other defendant. He made it clear that being an entertainer should neither harm nor benefit Rocky in the eyes of the jurors.
