A$AP Rocky’s upcoming felony assault trial is making headlines for an unusual reason
none of the jurors selected to hear his case are Black, despite both Rocky and the alleged victim, A$AP Relli, being African-American.
Jury selection for the trial, which is set to begin Friday morning in downtown Los Angeles,
recently concluded, and the final jury consists of 7 women and 5 men.
Of the selected jurors, there isn’t a single Black individual, a fact that stands out given the diverse population of Los Angeles.
The trial revolves around charges brought against Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, for allegedly shooting A$AP Relli, a former member of his crew, during a heated altercation in 2022.
The case has garnered significant attention, not only due to the high-profile nature of the defendant but also because of the lack of Black representation in the jury.
While the racial makeup of the jury has raised eyebrows, the trial will be overseen by Judge Mark Arnold, who is also white. This further adds to the controversy surrounding the case, as critics have pointed out the lack of racial diversity among those who will ultimately decide Rocky’s fate.
The jury consists of individuals from various backgrounds, with jurors being white, Asian, and Hispanic. Additionally, four alternate jurors have been selected, and none of them are Black. This is noteworthy considering the case involves two Black men and has significant implications for their community.
During the jury selection process, prospective jurors were asked a range of questions, including whether they were fans of Rihanna, who has two children with Rocky. While it is understandable that such questions would arise due to the public nature of both Rocky and Rihanna’s relationship, the fact that race did not seem to play a major role in the selection process may leave some wondering whether the racial makeup of the jury could impact the trial’s outcome.
It appears that neither the defense nor the prosecution raised any concerns regarding the racial composition of the jury. Both sides had an equal say in selecting the jurors, and according to reports, neither party seemed to focus on the issue of race during the selection process. This has sparked further debate about whether a jury consisting of only non-Black individuals is appropriate, especially when the case involves two African-American individuals.
The charges against Rocky stem from an alleged shooting that occurred in November 2021, in which he is accused of firing a semiautomatic firearm at A$AP Relli during a dispute. Rocky was arrested in April 2022 in connection with the incident and was later charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. He pled not guilty to the charges and was released on bond.
Prior to the trial, Rocky was offered a plea deal by prosecutors, which would have resulted in a 180-day county jail sentence. However, due to overcrowding in the jails, he would have likely served far less than that time. Rocky rejected the plea deal, choosing instead to proceed to trial. Now, he faces the possibility of up to 24 years in state prison if convicted.
As the trial prepares to begin, many eyes are on the proceedings, particularly in light of the jury’s composition and the potential consequences for the rapper. With his future at stake, Rocky is taking a significant gamble by rejecting the plea deal, and the outcome of this trial could have a lasting impact on his career and life.
The trial will be closely monitored, with TMZ following every step of the process. As A$AP Rocky heads into this high-stakes legal battle, the lack of Black jurors and the significant penalties he faces if convicted are sure to remain key points of discussion throughout the trial.
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