Rapper A$AP Rocky is heading to trial in his assault case.
On Monday, Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar determined there was enough evidence in the case to have it presented before a jury. The case stems from a 2021 shooting where Rocky’s former friend and collaborator, A$AP Relli, says the rapper shot at him after summoning him to a hotel. Relli went to meet Rocky under the guise that the men would talk out their issues. Instead, Relli claims he was met with violence. He sustained a shot to his hand and is confident Rocky was the shooter. Rocky has pleaded not guilty.
During the preliminary trial, Judge Villar heard testimony and viewed a surveillance video of Rocky holding a gun around the time of the shooting. Relli testified that shortly before the shooting, Rocky pointed a gun at his stomach and threatened to kill him. Los Angeles Police Department Detective Frank Flores also spoke during the hearing and authenticated the footage.
Rocky has been charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison. The 35-year-old is scheduled to be arraigned on January 8th, 2024. From there, the case will proceed to trial unless a plea deal is offered. His legal team is not worried about the trial’s outcome, as they are confident that the rapper will be found not guilty.
“We’re not disappointed, not surprised. We expected to go to trial. We’ve been planning for trial all along. Rocky is going to be vindicated when all this is said and done, without question,” Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, stated to reporters outside the courthouse.
