A$AP Rocky's Assault Trial Begins with an Unexpected Jury Composition

A$AP Rocky’s highly anticipated felony assault trial is set to begin in Los Angeles, and one detail about the jury is raising eyebrows—there are no Black jurors.

The jury, made up of seven women and five men, is a mix of white, Asian, and Hispanic individuals. Notably, both Rocky and the alleged victim, A$AP Relli, are African-American. The alternate jurors, all women, are also non-Black. Judge Mark Arnold, who is white, will preside over the trial.

During jury selection, potential jurors were even asked if they were fans of Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and the mother of his two children. Despite this, neither side seemed concerned about the racial makeup of the jury.

The trial stems from an incident in which Rocky is accused of shooting A$AP Relli in 2021. He was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in 2022, but he pled not guilty and was released on bond.

Rocky’s decision to take the case to trial is a significant gamble. Prosecutors reportedly offered him a plea deal with a 180-day jail sentence, which would likely have been much shorter due to overcrowding. However, the rapper rejected the deal and now faces up to 24 years in state prison if convicted.

The trial begins Friday, and all eyes are on the courtroom as Rocky fights to clear his name. Stay tuned for updates as the case unfolds.