LOS ANGELES (AP) — The highly publicized trial of A$AP Rocky has commenced, with the rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, opting to reject a plea deal that would have seen him serve 180 days in jail. Instead, he faces the possibility of a guilty verdict related to charges of firing a weapon at a former friend, bringing with it potential prison time of up to 24 years if convicted. Jury selection began on Tuesday, marking the start of what is anticipated to be a three-week legal proceeding.

The plea offered by Los Angeles prosecutors involved Rocky pleading guilty to one of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors would recommend a seven-year suspended sentence and three years' probation. However, Rocky emphatically declined the offer, maintaining his not guilty plea. Opening statements are set to commence once a jury of 12 plus alternates is selected, likely by Wednesday.

A considerable number of jurors, 106 in total, were summoned for the trial, during which Rocky’s attorneys explored the potential biases the jurors may hold toward hip-hop culture and firearms. “When I get up here with this ridiculous accent... is anyone going to have a problem?” asked Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, who attempted to gauge the jurors' perceptions. Most jurors confirmed they had heard of A$AP Rocky and his longtime partner, Rihanna, but stated that their celebrity status would not affect their judgment.

The prosecution's case revolves around an incident that took place on November 6, 2021, where Rocky allegedly fired at Terell Ephron, a former friend whose relationship with Rocky had deteriorated. Ephron had testified that bullets grazed his knuckles during the episode. In a surprising turn, Rocky's defense plans to argue that a firearm captured on security video was merely a “starter pistol” intended for security purposes, a tactic previously undisclosed in pretrial hearings.

Judge Mark Arnold is presiding over the trial and has emphasized the need for efficiency during jury selection, intending to seat a jury expeditiously while allowing media presence throughout the proceedings. Rocky’s life and career hang in the balance as he navigates these serious charges, with significant implications for his future in the entertainment world. The outcome of this trial could dramatically alter the course of his personal and professional life.

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