Right at the beginning of his trial, which began on Monday, January 8, A$AP Rocky quickly pleaded not guilty to assault charges.
As previously reported, the rapper (real name Rakim Mayers) was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in 2022 for allegedly being part of an altercation with one of his “acquaintances” in Hollywood in November 2021. He allegedly fired a gun and hurt. the alleged victim. Shortly after being released on bond, A$AP Rocky was named in a civil lawsuit on charges of assault, battery and emotional distress.
At a preliminary hearing in November 2023, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge ML Villar said there was enough evidence to hold a trial. Deadline reports that A$AP Rocky is charged with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon. As part of the charges, there were allegations that the rapper used a firearm against Terell Ephron.
While testifying at the hearing, Ephron stated that she saw A$AP Rocky outside a parking lot during the encounter. The incident was also partially captured by surveillance cameras. At one point, the rapper allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband, pointed it at Ephron and declared, “I’ll kill you right now.”
During the same hearing, the rapper’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, encouraged the judge to dismiss the case due to lack of evidence. At the beginning of the trial, Tacopina reportedly stated that his client would be “vindicated.”
“I want to finish this so he can start enjoying his family and move forward,” Tacopina also said. “Let’s be calm and let’s try this [case] in court, and when we do, facts will come to light that will prove that [A$AP Rocky is] truly innocent and he is a victim in this case.”
A$AP Rocky was previously found guilty of assault in Sweden
This isn’t the first time A$AP Rocky has been in trouble with the law. In 2018, the rapper was found guilty in Sweden after a street fight. At that time, a court imposed a suspended sentence on him. As punishment, prosecutors recommended a six-month prison sentence for the rapper for his role in the fight.
Deadline He reported at the time that A$AP Rocky’s sentencing became an international incident. President Donald Trump then notably lobbied for the musician, declaring his support in a cheep. “A$AP Rocky [was] released from prison and on his way home to the United States from Sweden. It was a tough week, he’s coming home ASAP A$AP!” stated the former politician.
Along with A$AP Rocky, two members of the rapper’s group were also found guilty of participating in the fight. Before the fight, the rapper had been in jail.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn