A$AP Rocky could face a “significant prison sentence” after rejecting a plea deal. The high-profile case has attracted significant media attention, particularly given his relationship with global superstar Rihanna.
The 36-year-old rapper — whose real name is Rakim Mayers — appeared in court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to plead not guilty to two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in connection with an incident that took place in November 2021, when he allegedly assaulted former friend A$AP Relli, aka Terell Ephron. The case represents one of the most significant legal challenges in the rapper’s career.
During the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec told Judge Mark S. Arnold his office had offered a plea deal with 180 days in county jail if Rocky pleaded guilty to the first count of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. The agreement also included three years probation, a seven-year suspended jail term, 480 hours of community service and a 52-week anger management scheme, with the maximum possible sentence being 24 years in prison if he was found guilty. Przelomiec planned to push for at least 10 to 12 years if the star was found guilty. Legal experts note that such plea deals are common in similar cases.
“Yeah, they spoke to me about it in detail, Your Honor. I respectfully decline, thank you,” Rocky said according to Rolling Stone, when asked if he had reviewed the deal with his team. The decision marks a significant turning point in the legal proceedings.
The judge told him: “You’re not going to get any special treatment. Your status as an entertainer, your status as the significant other of Rihanna, that’s not going to inure to your benefit, and it’s not going to inure to your harm.” This statement reflects the court’s commitment to equal treatment under the law.
Rocky confirmed: “Yes, Your Honor, I’m well aware.” His acknowledgment demonstrated his understanding of the potential consequences.
During the hearing, the “Praise the Lord” hitmaker’s lawyer insisted he was only carrying a “prop gun,” not a loaded pistol on the night of the incident, and insisted Relli — who claimed they were fighting over Rocky allegedly reneging on a promise to pay for another friend’s funeral — had fabricated the shooting and a grazing injury to extort the rapper for money. This defense strategy introduces a new element to the case.
The defense planned to bring in A$AP Twelvyy, aka Jamel Da’Shawn Phillips — who was present on the night of the altercation — and a tour manager of Rocky, with both expected to tell jurors the rapper often carried a prop gun after being “the victim of prior violence and stalker home invasions.” Security experts note that prop guns are commonly used in the entertainment industry.
But prosecutors only claimed they had been told about the “fake gun” defense the night before the trial. This late disclosure has raised procedural concerns.
“It’s a brand-new defense that’s never been mentioned … This is a straight ambush. This is not a minor witness [account]. This is their whole case. Their whole case is based on this witnesses statement,” Deputy District Attorney John Lewin told the court. Legal analysts suggest that timing of defense disclosures can significantly impact trial proceedings.
The judge declined to strike the witnesses but noted: “I don’t think it’s fair that you waited this long to disclose the starter pistol, if that’s central to your defense.” This judicial observation could influence how the defense presents its case moving forward.
The case highlights the complex intersection of celebrity status and criminal justice, with Rocky facing potential consequences that could significantly impact both his personal life and professional career. The trial continues to draw attention from both the music industry and legal community, as it could set precedents for similar cases involving high-profile defendants.
