A$AP Rocky Turns Down Plea Deal As Gun Firing Trial Opens

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A$AP Rocky turned down a final prosecution plea offer of 180 days in jail and will face the possibility of a guilty verdict and years in prison as jury selection began at his trial on Tuesday.The agreement offered to the 36-year-old hip-hop star, fashion mogul and actor whose legal name is Rakim Mayers was to plead guilty to one of his two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.Los Angeles County prosecutors would also recommend a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and the six-month jail term.

Advertisement But Rocky told a judge he respectfully declined.He is accused of firing at a former friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021, and could get a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison if convicted.He has pleaded not guilty.

Rocky’s attorney Joe Tacopina also revealed in court Tuesday that the defense plans to call witnesses to testify that a firearm seen on a security video is a “starter pistol” that Rocky carried as a prop for security purposes.The strategy had not been aired at pretrial hearings.A panel of more than 100 prospective jurors were summoned to the downtown Los Angeles courtroom and packed into the gallery.

Opening statements will come once 12 of them and alternates are seated, most likely Wednesday or later.Advertisement The Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, fashion mogul and actor whose legal name is Rakim Mayers is the longtime partner of Rihanna, and the two have two toddler sons together.It’s not entirely clear whether Rihanna will appear to support him at any point in court, but his attorney has suggested it’s unlikely.

She did not attend Tuesday’s proceedings.Rocky has been named one of the celebrity chairs of the Met Gala in May, and has a major role in a Spike Lee-directed film with Denzel Washington to be released soon after.But his life could be upended with a conviction.Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold has said he plans to seat a jury quickly, and is keeping strict...