A$AP Rocky rejects plea deal as his gun trial opens in Los Angeles

nme.com:

A$AP Rocky has rejected his final prosecution plea offer of 180 days in jail and now faces a possibility of a guilty verdict as his firearm assault trial starts in Los Angeles.As the Associated Press reports, the rapper – real name Rakim Mayers – the plea deal was given to the rapper if he were to plead guilty to one of his two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.The outlet reports that Los Angeles County prosecutors would also recommend a seven-year suspended sentence, three years of probation and a six-month jail term.

However, A$AP Rocky denied the plea when his trial began this week.The 36-year-old rapper is accused of firing a gun at a former friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021, and could get given up to 24 years in prison if he is found guilty and convicted.More than 100 prospective jurors were summoned to the downtown Los Angeles courtroom today (January 21), and the opening statements will come once 12 of them are seated – which according to AP is most likely to be Wednesday (January 22) or later.

Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold confirmed he plans to seat a jury as quickly as possible.“Mr. Mayers is an entertainer. His stage name is A$AP Rocky.