Showbiz

A$AP Rocky’s potential jurors quizzed over Rihanna and her lingerie line amid gun-firing case

A$AP Rocky’s potential jurors quizzed over Rihanna and her lingerie line amid gun-firing case

Potential jurors in the shooting case against A$AP Rocky have reportedly been asked questions gauging their knowledge and interest level in the rapper’s long-time partner, Rihanna.

TMZ reports possible jurors have been quizzed about both Rihanna, 36, and A$AP, 36.

Rocky is standing trial on charges that he fired a gun at Terell Ephron, a former friend and collaborator, outside a Hollywood H๏τel in 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of ᴀssault with a semiautomatic firearm.

Lawyers reportedly asked those summoned for jury duty if they had ever purchased products sold by Rihanna.

Rihanna – who has been dating A$AP, 36, since 2020 and shares sons RZA, two, and Riot, one, with him – sells a clothing and lingerie line called Savage x Fenty as well as the cosmetics range Fenty Beauty.

Possible jurors were reportedly asked if they had ever purchased Rihanna’s products and if they would be able to reach a fair and impartial verdict if the songstress was present in the courtroom.

Potential jurors in the gun-firing case against A$AP Rocky have reportedly been asked about the rapper's long-time partner, Rihanna; pictured December 2024

Potential jurors in the gun-firing case against A$AP Rocky have reportedly been asked about the rapper’s long-time partner, Rihanna; pictured December 2024

TMZ reports the possible pool was also asked if they had heard of A$AP or the Diamonds singer, had listened to their songs, or downloaded their music.

Read More Rihanna sets pulses racing in Sєxy black lingerie to promote Savage X Fenty article image

Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges of ᴀssault with a semiautomatic firearm and he’s facing up to 24 years in prison if convicted of both.

The charges arise from a November 2021 confrontation in Hollywood between Rocky and fellow rapper Terell Ephron, whose stage name is A$AP Relli. He was a member, with Rocky, in the ASAP Mob rap group that started in Harlem in 2006.

Rocky was arrested in April 2022 at LAX airport as he stepped off a private plane from Barbados where he had been on vacation with Rihanna.

He has been free on bail of $550,000 since his arrest.

At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented surveillance camera footage and testimony from Ephron and cops to support their allegation that during the argument, Rocky pointed a handgun at Ephron, then fired it twice toward him injuring his hand.

Ephron himself testified that Rocky held the gun to his stomach and said ‘I’ll kill you right now,’ before firing off rounds.

Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina has challenged the prosecution’s case, saying there wasn’t enough proof that a shooting had even happened and calling the surveillance video evidence and witness testimony ‘inconclusive’.

Ephron has filed a separate civil ᴀssault and battery lawsuit against Rocky which is on hold pending the outcome of the criminal trial.

Earlier Tuesday, Rocky and his legal team had the chance to accept a plea deal in which he would plead guilty to one of the ᴀssault charges in exchange for a seven-year suspended sentence, 180 days in jail and three years probation.

Rihanna sells a line of clothing called Savage x Fenty as well as cosmetics under Fenty Beauty, and both were reportedly brought up during jury selection.

Rihanna sells a line of clothing called Savage x Fenty as well as cosmetics under Fenty Beauty, and both were reportedly brought up during jury selection.

The Love On The Brain singer also has Fenty Beauty, her range of cosmetics; pictured 2017

The Love On The Brain singer also has Fenty Beauty, her range of cosmetics; pictured 2017

The second felony charge would have also been dismissed.

But Tacopina turned down the offer, telling LA Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold that the gun Rocky sH๏τ Ephron with was actually a ‘prop gun’ – a fake firearm used in movies.

It was the second time that Rocky’s defense lawyers have blown off a prosecution plea deal.

After the first deal was presented last Wednesday, Tacopina told DailyMail.com: ‘He did not commit a crime’ and called the LA District Attorney’s case against Rocky ‘fundamentally weak.’

The judge previously said he expected a jury will be chosen at the trial of A$AP Rocky on Thursday, while lawyers for the hip-hop star are protesting the dearth of Black candidates for the panel.

Possible jurors were reportedly asked if they believed they could reach a fair and impartial verdict in the case against A$AP if Rihanna was present in the courtroom; pictured October 2024

Possible jurors were reportedly asked if they believed they could reach a fair and impartial verdict in the case against A$AP if Rihanna was present in the courtroom; pictured October 2024

Rihanna promoting her Savage x Fenty line in an August Instagram post

Rihanna promoting her Savage x Fenty line in an August Instagram post 

Nearly one hundred potential jurors will pack into the Los Angeles courtroom for a third long day of questioning at the trial, where Rocky is accused of two counts of ᴀssault with a semiautomatic firearm for allegedly firing on a former friend in Hollywood in 2021.

Opening statements will begin once 12 of them, and four alternates, are seated.

‘I´m pretty sure we´re going to have a jury tomorrow,’ Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold said at the end of court Wednesday, thanking the panelists for their patience. ‘This is not going to go on forever.’

Other than dismissals for cause, each side can have 10 jurors dismissed without giving a reason. The defense has used four of its challenges. Prosecutors used just one. They said they are happy with the jury as currently composed. But that may change.

She has been dating A$AP since 2020 and they share sons RZA, two, and Riot, one; pictured 2023

She has been dating A$AP since 2020 and they share sons RZA, two, and Riot, one; pictured 2023

Meanwhile, lawyers for Rocky said they planned to appeal a judge’s rejection of their request for a hearing on why less than 5% of the jury pool is Black, while the area they are drawn from is 9% African American. It’s possible that none of the 16 jurors selected will be Black.

‘We´re troubled by that to say the least,’ Tacopina said. ‘We´re in downtown Los Angeles, not a small town in Montana.’

The Rev. Al Sharpton said on the social platform X that he has been following the proceedings and was critical of the racial makeup of the juror pool.

‘It is absolutely ridiculous that the jury will be not fair and representative, so as to deprive A$AP Rocky of a fair trial,’ the post said. ‘I am monitoring this trial and challenging the Los Angeles District Attorney to ensure that fair and representative justice is afforded to A$AP Rocky.’

The judge declined to pause the trial for the appeal. 

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