Updated Date for A$AP Rocky’s Shooting Trial After Postponement for Rolling Loud Performance in Thailand

A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, will have his shooting trial rescheduled to January 2025. The postponement was confirmed by his attorney, Joe Tacopina, following the rapper’s initial hearing on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The change was necessitated by a scheduling conflict arising from Rocky’s performance at the Rolling Loud festival in Thailand.

“The date was adjusted partly because Rocky has a charity concert in Bangkok planned for late November and also due to ongoing discovery matters. Considering the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, it seemed prudent for all involved to shift the schedule to January. We now have a definite date,”

stated his lawyer. The trial is set to commence on January 21, 2025.

This hearing was linked to an incident from November 2021 involving A$AP Rocky’s former associate, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), who accused the rapper of discharging a semi-automatic firearm outside a hotel in Hollywood. Relli claims the bullets narrowly missed his fingers.

Rocky was arrested in April 2022 and later released on a $500,000 bond on the same day. In August of that year, Relli initiated a lawsuit against Rocky for assault, battery, and emotional distress, seeking $25,000 in damages along with additional compensation for medical expenses and punitive damages.

A$AP Rocky entered a not guilty plea to two felony charges related to the shooting

According to a Newsweek report from October 2024, A$AP Rocky’s pretrial took place at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. While he was not present, his lawyer managed to secure a delay in jury selection from November to January.

Joe Tacopina commented to the media

“If he had declined, Rocky would have been here on Nov. 12, and I would too. However, the judge was accommodating.”

During the sessions, Judge Mark S. Arnold permitted the filming of proceedings, asserting that the public has a right to an insight into courtroom activities. He predicted the trial would span approximately two weeks.

Judge Arnold also inquired whether Rihanna, A$AP Rocky’s partner, would be attending so that appropriate security measures could be arranged. Tacopina responded that he was unsure, suggesting, “I can almost guarantee she won’t be here every day.”

Earlier this year, A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to charges of felony assault with a semi-automatic weapon after it was determined in November 2023 that sufficient evidence existed to proceed with a trial. A conviction in this case could sentence him to a maximum of 24 months in prison.

During the November 2023 session, prosecutors presented a video showing Rocky brandishing a firearm during the incident, alongside another video capturing the sounds of gunfire without visuals.

Tacopina shared with reporters that his client remained “cool and composed”and was looking forward to concluding the trial so he could spend time with his family. Rocky is a father to two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, 1, with Rihanna.

A$AP Rocky is currently preparing for the release of his fourth studio album, titled Don’t Be Dumb. Initially slated for an August 2024 release, the album has faced delays due to sample clearance challenges and leaks, with no new release date announced yet.

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