Photo Credit:AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
A$AP Rocky is set to face trial for felony assault charges stemming from allegations that he shot his former associate, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, during an altercation in 2021. Despite the high stakes, the jury selection process has sparked widespread criticism due to the lack of Black representation among jurors.
The jury comprises 12 members—seven women and five men—from white, Asian, and Hispanic backgrounds, along with four alternates, all women and also non-Black. This is notable given that both A$AP Rocky and the alleged victim are African-American. The absence of Black jurors has drawn condemnation from civil rights activists, including Reverend Al Sharpton. He stated, “It is absolutely ridiculous that the jury will be not fair and representative, so as to deprive A$AP Rocky of a fair trial.”
A$AP Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, echoed these concerns, criticizing the lack of racial diversity. "We’re in downtown Los Angeles, not a small town in Montana," he remarked, highlighting the disparity in jury demographics despite the city’s diversity. However, both the prosecution and defense had equal say in the jury selection process, and neither formally raised objections regarding the racial makeup of the panel.
The trial, which begins Friday morning, will be presided over by Judge Mark Arnold. Rocky, who has pled not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, rejected a plea deal in 2022 that would have resulted in a 180-day jail sentence. Instead, he opted to contest the charges in court. If convicted, the rapper faces a potential sentence of up to 24 years in state prison.
During jury selection, prospective jurors were questioned about potential biases, including whether they were fans of Rihanna, A$AP Rocky’s partner and the mother of his two children. While this was a concern, no objections were raised regarding racial representation.
A$AP Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, echoed these concerns, criticizing the lack of racial diversity. "We’re in downtown Los Angeles, not a small town in Montana," he remarked, highlighting the disparity in jury demographics despite the city’s diversity. However, both the prosecution and defense had equal say in the jury selection process, and neither formally raised objections regarding the racial makeup of the panel.
The trial, which begins Friday morning, will be presided over by Judge Mark Arnold. Rocky, who has pled not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, rejected a plea deal in 2022 that would have resulted in a 180-day jail sentence. Instead, he opted to contest the charges in court. If convicted, the rapper faces a potential sentence of up to 24 years in state prison.
During jury selection, prospective jurors were questioned about potential biases, including whether they were fans of Rihanna, A$AP Rocky’s partner and the mother of his two children. While this was a concern, no objections were raised regarding racial representation.
