Los Angeles — A judge said Thursday he expects a jury to be selected in A$AP Rocky’s trial, with the hip-hop star’s lawyers protesting the lack of black candidates for the panel.
Nearly 100 potential jurors are expected to gather in a Los Angeles courtroom to be questioned in the trial. In 2021, Rocky was charged with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm after allegedly shooting a former friend in Hollywood.
Opening remarks begin when 12 of them and 4 alternates have taken their seats.
At the end of court Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold thanked the panel for their patience, saying, “I’m confident the jury will convene tomorrow.” “This won’t go on forever.”
Except in cases of dismissal for good cause, either side may dismiss 10 jurors without giving a reason. The defense used four assignments. The prosecution used only one. They said they were satisfied with the judging panel as currently constituted. But that may change.
Meanwhile, Rocky’s lawyers said they plan to appeal the judge’s denial of their request for a hearing on why less than 5% of the jury pool is black and their district is 9% African American. It is possible that none of the 16 jurors selected will be black.
“We’re not really concerned about that,” said defense attorney Joe Tacopina. “We’re in downtown Los Angeles, not a small town in Montana.”
Reverend Al Sharpton said on social platform X that he was following the proceedings and was critical of the racial makeup of the jury pool.
“It is absolutely ridiculous that the jury was unfair and unrepresentative, depriving A$AP Rocky of a fair trial,” the post said. “I am monitoring this trial and challenging the Los Angeles District Attorney to ensure fair and representative justice is provided to A$AP Rocky.”
The judge refused to pause the trial for the appeal.
Prosecutors questioned potential jurors Wednesday about their attitudes toward police and celebrities.
During the first round of questioning, District Attorney John Lewin asked how many of the 12 jurors thought they were fans of Rihanna, Rocky’s longtime life partner and the mother of his two young sons. Four people said yes.
He asked them if they would be worried about the impact on Rihanna if Rocky were found guilty of two felonies of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
One woman on the judging panel responded: “You put it into my head and now I’m like, ‘Oh, I think that’s going to affect her.’”
Rocky, who was free on bail and pleaded not guilty, sat at the defense table and watched the questioning.
Rihanna did not attend court with him, but Rocky’s mother and sister were seated in his section of the gallery.
When told who they were, Arnold was struck by the youthful appearance of his mother, Renee Black.
“You were seven when you had him, right?” the judge asked. She said she was 26 years old.
“You are so beautiful,” the judge told her. “It’s in the records.”
Jury selection began Tuesday after Rocky, 36, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, turned down a deal that offered 180 days in jail, seven years suspended and three years of probation if he pleaded guilty to one of the following: Two things are important.
Rocky is scheduled to headline the Rolling Loud California music festival in March, was named one of the Met Gala’s celebrity chairs in May, and is set to star in Spike Lee’s upcoming film with Denzel Washington. I took charge. later.
But his life could be turned upside down if he is found guilty of shooting his childhood friend Terrell Efron on the night of November 6, 2021, when he testified that their relationship was deteriorating and their feud was at its peak. Efron testified that a bullet grazed his body. Knuckles.
