Reverend Al Sharpton Advocates for Fair Jury in ASAP Rocky’s Firearm Case

Reverend Al Sharpton believes A$AP Rocky may be treated unfairly at trial because of the lack of diversity within the jury pool.

Sharpton has voiced concerns regarding the apparent systemic flaws in the jury selection process, emphasizing the disparity in representation.

“It has been brought to my attention, by the National Action Network Los Angeles office, that out of one hundred and six (106) people called to potentially sit as jurors in A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles, there are only 4 Black people,” Sharpton tweeted on Wednesday. “When we have four (4) Black people in the city of Los Angeles, out of one hundred and six (106) — and exactly zero (0) within the first thirty (30) possible candidates for the jury — something appears to be very wrong with the system.”

It has been brought to my attention, by the National Action Network Los Angeles office, that out of one hundred and six (106) people called to potentially sit as jurors in A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles, there are only 4 black people.

I have been closely in touch with A$AP…

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 22, 2025

Rocky could face years behind bars for allegedly shooting his former friend Terrell Ephron, also known as ASAP Relli. The incident happened in November 2021 during a heated argument in Hollywood. Rocky was offered a plea deal in the case, which would have seen him serve 180 days in jail, three years of probation, and a seven-year suspended prison sentence. Despite part of the altercation being captured on camera, Rocky refused the deal, opting to take the case to trial.

Despite the facts of the case, Sharpton noted that the Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to be judged by a fair and representative jury, which he argues is at risk in Rocky’s case.

“I have been closely in touch with A$AP Rocky’s friends, and though I do not know the particulars of the trial, I do know he deserves to be judged fairly by his peers,” he said. “I am monitoring this trial and challenging [them] to ensure that fair and representative justice is afforded to A$AP Rocky.”

Rocky has not spoken publicly about this show of support.