LOS ANGELES (AP) — The judge predicts that a jury will be selected for the trial of A$AP Rocky on Thursday, as the hip-hop star’s attorneys raise concerns about the lack of Black candidates in the jury pool. Nearly one hundred potential jurors will be present in the Los Angeles courtroom for a third day of questioning at the trial, where Rocky faces charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm for allegedly shooting at a former friend in Hollywood in 2021. Once 12 jurors and four alternates are chosen, opening statements will commence. “I anticipate we will have a jury tomorrow,” Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold stated, expressing gratitude to the panelists for their patience. The defense and prosecution are each allowed to dismiss up to 10 jurors without providing a reason, and so far, the defense has used four challenges while prosecutors have used one. Defense lawyers plan to appeal the judge’s denial of their request for a hearing on the lack of Black representation in the jury pool, which currently stands at less than 5% compared to the 9% African American population in the area. The defense expressed concerns over the possibility that none of the 16 selected jurors may be Black. Rev. Al Sharpton criticized the jury pool’s racial composition, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial for A$AP Rocky. The judge declined to halt the trial for the appeal process. Prosecutors questioned potential jurors on Wednesday about their views on law enforcement and celebrities. During the selection process, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin inquired about the jurors’ opinions on Rihanna, Rocky’s longtime partner and mother of his children. Rocky, who denies the charges and is out on bail, observed the proceedings. The jury selection began after Rocky rejected a plea deal and is scheduled to appear at upcoming music festivals and events.
In the near future, a man’s freedom hangs in the balance as he awaits release from custody. However, his life may take a dramatic turn if found guilty of allegedly shooting at Terell Ephron, a former childhood friend. Testifying that their once close bond had deteriorated, Ephron detailed a heated feud that culminated on the evening of November 6, 2021. Ephron recounted a harrowing experience where bullets narrowly missed his hand, leaving him physically unscathed but emotionally shaken.
