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Rakim Athelaston Mayers, a.k.a. A$AP Rocky's shooting trial date is pushed back to January 2025. Following the rapper's hearing on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, announced that the new date was postponed due to a scheduling conflict with his Rolling Loud show in Thailand.
"Things were moved in part because Rocky has a benefit concert in Bangkok in late November and in part because we're still dealing with some issues on discovery. We all agree with Thanksgiving... and Christmas... I think everyone decided it's best to do this in January. It's a firm date."
The Praise Da Lord hitmaker's trial will begin on January 21, 2025.
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Tuesday's hearing stemmed from a November 2021 incident involving the rapper's former friend and collaborator, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron). Relli accused Rocky of firing a semi-automatic firearm outside of a hotel in Hollywood. According to Ephron, a childhood friend of the rapper, the bullets grazed his knuckles.
This led to Rocky's arrest in April 2022. He was released on $500,000 bond the same day. In August of the same year, Relli sued his former friend for assault, battery, and emotional distress. He demanded $25,000 in damages plus extra for medical bills and punitive damages.
A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of assault with a semi-automatic weapon in January 2024
According to an October 2024 report by Newsweek, A$AP Rocky's pretrial took place at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. While the rapper wasn't present, his lawyer successfully argued for the jury selection to be pushed back to January rather than its original November date.
Joe Tacopina told reporters outside the courtroom:
"If he said no, Rocky would be here on Nov. 12, obviously. I'd be here. But he (the judge) was very accommodating."
During the trial, Judge Mark S. Arnold allowed video cameras to air the proceedings, reasoning that the public deserved to know what goes on in the courtroom. He estimated that the trial would last about two weeks.
Per the publication, Judge Arnold also questioned Tacopina whether Rihanna, A$AP Rocky's partner, would attend the proceedings so he could make proper security accommodations. The attorney explained that he did not know, adding, "I almost guarantee not every day."
A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty earlier this year to two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic weapon after a judge determined (November 2023) there was enough evidence against him to stand trial for the allegation. If convicted in his shooting trial, he faces up to 24 months in prison.
During the November 2023 hearing, prosecutors showed a video of A$AP Rocky holding a gun during the altercation and a separate video of the altercation where gunshots could be heard but not seen.
At the time, Tacopina told reporters that his client was "cool as a cucumber" and was eager for the trial to be over so that "he (could) start enjoying his family." Rocky shares two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, 1, with Rihanna.
A$AP Rocky is gearing up for his fourth studio album, Don't Be Dumb. The project, originally scheduled for an August 2024 release, got delayed due to sample clearance issues and leaks. The rapper has not announced a new release date.
