A$AP Rocky’s trial is underway after he declined a plea deal offer from Los Angeles County prosecutors. Prosecutors had offered the Harlem rapper, born Rakim Mayers, up to 180 days in jail in exchange for pleading guilty to one felony count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
The deal also included three years of probation and a seven-year suspended sentence. However, Rocky turned down the offer, telling the court “I respectfully decline, thank you.”
Rocky can face up to 24 years behind bars if convicted on all charges in connection with the shooting of his former affiliate, A$AP Relli, at a Hollywood hotel in November 2021.
The rapper had been arrested in April 2022 and posted a $550,000 bond. He later pleaded not guilty to all charges in August 2022. Relli testified that the bullets grazed his knuckles during the altercation.
Rocky’s lawyer revealed a defense argument that suggests Rocky was holding a “starter pistol” prop gun at the time of the alleged shooting, which could be seen on security cameras from the night of the incident.
With jury selection complete, A$AP Rocky’s trial is set to begin later this week.
Source: https://www.billboard.com/pro/asap-rocky-declines-plea-deal-2021-shooting-trial