Potential juror on A$AP Rocky trial has connection to Rihanna
A potential juror in A$AP Rocky's assault trial said she shares a chiropractor with the rapper's girlfriend, Rihanna.
A potential juror in A$AP Rocky's felony assault trial reportedly told the judge on Tuesday that she shares a chiropractor with the rapper's superstar girlfriend, Rihanna.
The woman, a former TV executive, also told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold that she has ties to the music industry.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attend the A$AP Rocky X American Sabotage by AWGE Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2024 in Paris. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attend the A$AP Rocky X American Sabotage by AWGE Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2024 in Paris. Getty Images
"I think I supported hip-hop artists from '95 to 2009 in my profession. I still am attached to the community," she said, legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff reported on the first day of jury selection.
Why Is A$AP Rocky on Trial?
A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stem from a November 2021 incident in Hollywood, where A$AP Rocky allegedly fired a gun at former friend and fellow A$AP Mob member, A$AP Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron.
If convicted on all charges, A$AP Rocky could get up to 24 years in prison. Earlier Tuesday, he declined a plea deal to receive 180 days in county jail with three years probation and a seven-year suspended prison sentence.
A$AP Rocky's Attorney Questions Potential Jurors
Joe Tacopina, the high-profile attorney representing A$AP Rocky in this case, asked potential jurors on Tuesday if they understood that the "Fâkin' Problems" rapper is facing felony charges, but has yet to be found guilty. None of the 12 people in the box raised their hand, Cuniff reported.
Tacopina also asked the group if they'd been to jury school.
"That was a trick question, by the way. There is no jury school," he reportedly said.
A$AP Rocky is seen at Superior Court of Los Angeles on January 21 in Los Angeles. A$AP Rocky is seen at Superior Court of Los Angeles on January 21 in Los Angeles. Getty ImagesAre A$AP Rocky and Rihanna Married?
No, Tacopina said Tuesday in court that A$AP Rocky and Rihanna are not married after stating last week that he was unsure of his client's marital status.
"There's no marriage certificate," Tacopina reportedly told the judge.
Since the couple is not married, Rihanna will be referred to in court at A$AP Rocky's "significant other."
Judge Arnold told the jury pool on Tuesday, "His life partner is also an entertainer. Her name is Rihanna."
Rihanna was not present in court on Tuesday.
What People Are Saying
Judge Arnold during a pretrial hearing last week: "I will let the jurors know that regardless of who a defendant is, whether they're the richest person in the world or the poorest person, everybody is to be treated the same."
Tacopina to reporters last week: "This case is not about Rihanna. But I guess the D.A. [District Attorney] wants to make sure people aren't so enamored with Rihanna they're going to be so blinded by their love for Rihanna they won't listen to the evidence and facts of this case. I don't think that's the case. I think people are too smart for that. But I guess they're worried about it. They want to make sure she's classified in [a certain] way."
Attorney Gloria Allred to Newsweek: "Although jurors are instructed by the judge to consider only the evidence admitted by the court, it is human nature for many jurors to look at a celebrity sitting in the courtroom.
Even though jurors should not take those facts into consideration and even if jurors state that they will not consider that, some jurors will not be able to ignore it."
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky pose for photographers upon arrival at the The Fashion Awards 2024 on December 2, 2024, in London. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky pose for photographers upon arrival at the The Fashion Awards 2024 on December 2, 2024, in London. AP PhotoWhat's Next
Tacopina plans to call two witnesses, he reportedly said in court Tuesday.
The witnesses will say that the gun A$AP Rocky is seen holding in video surveillance footage of the alleged shooting is a prop gun that he carries for security purposes. The trial is expected to take three weeks.
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