A$AP Rocky has made a bold decision in an ongoing assault case by refusing a prosecution plea offer, according to reports.
The Grammy-nominated rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faces two felony charges stemming from a 2021 incident in which he allegedly shot at a former friend and music collaborator during a confrontation.
As reported by ABC News, the longtime partner of Rihanna declined a final plea deal that would have required him to serve 180 days in prison. The offer involved pleading guilty to one of the two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
During a court appearance in Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 21, A$AP Rocky formally rejected the deal. “I respectfully decline,” the father-of-two told the judge.
With jury selection now underway, the case moves forward to trial. If convicted, the Praise the Lord hitmaker faces a maximum sentence of 24 years in prison.
A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintains his innocence as the trial unfolds. His decision to reject the plea deal suggests confidence in his defense strategy, though it significantly raises the stakes for the rapper.
The case has drawn widespread attention not only due to A$AP Rocky’s celebrity status but also because of the serious nature of the allegations. Fans and legal observers alike are watching closely as the trial begins in Los Angeles.
If convicted, the ruling could have profound implications for A$AP Rocky’s career and personal life, particularly as a father to two young children with Rihanna.
The trial will provide a platform for both the prosecution and the defense to present their arguments, with the jury ultimately determining whether A$AP Rocky’s decision to reject the plea deal was a calculated risk or a misstep.
For now, the rapper stands firm in his not-guilty plea, preparing to fight the charges in court.