Opening statements set to begin in A$AP Rocky's trial in Los Angeles

An battle proceedings begins connected Friday against rapper A$AP Rocky, who is accused of firing a weapon astatine a erstwhile person successful Los Angeles.

The rapper, whose existent sanction is Rakim Mayers, faces 24 years successful situation if convicted connected 2 felony battle charges successful the 2021 incidental adjacent a Hollywood hotel.

The Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, who is besides a manner mogul and the longtime spouse of vocalist Rihanna, has pleaded not blameworthy and denied the allegations.

The victim, chap creator and puerility person Terell Ephron, testified past twelvemonth that bullets grazed his knuckles and helium decided to question aesculapian attraction astatine a infirmary aft flying backmost to New York.

A assemblage of 7 women and 5 men was selected implicit the people of 3 days this week earlier the opening arguments footwear disconnected connected Friday. The proceedings is expected to past astir 3 weeks.

Authorities accidental the shooting happened connected 6 November successful 2021 aft a "heated discussion" successful Hollywood betwixt the rapper and Terell Ephron, who were some portion of the A$AP Mob hip-hop corporate and person known 1 different since their clip unneurotic astatine a New York precocious school.

The rapper is alleged to person archetypal pulled retired the limb successful a threatening mode during a carnal statement outdoors, conscionable 1 artifact from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to the charging documents.

Prosecutors accidental helium aboriginal fired the limb doubly successful the absorption of the victim, who sustained a insignificant injury.

The rapper rejected a plea connection up of the proceedings and said the limb helium was accused of firing was a "prop gun" incapable of firing existent ammunition, according to US media. The AP quality bureau reported that this would person meant agreeing to 180 days successful prison.

His lawyer told US media that they are acceptable for the proceedings and look guardant to putting it down them.

"We're acceptable to go. It's been a agelong time," his lawyer Joe Tacopina told the Associated Press. "It's been thing that's waiting implicit Rocky's caput and Rihanna and their family's heads for a while. We're anxious to get this happening underway and get this down him."

A cardinal constituent of contention successful the lawsuit is the constabulary probe and Mr Ephron's injuries. The rapper's attorneys argued successful tribunal documents that the lawsuit should beryllium dismissed implicit Mr Ephron taking aggregate days to study the incident.

Authorities who responded to the shooting did not find immoderate ammunition casings erstwhile surveying the country but Mr Ephron returned to the country aboriginal and gathered 2 ammunition casings helium said helium recovered successful the area. He brought them erstwhile helium reported the incidental 2 days later.

The weapon allegedly utilized successful the incidental was not located.

Mr Mayers's lawyer besides questioned the coiled Mr Ephron had connected his manus and allege it whitethorn person been from a punch.

The proceedings is happening astatine a important infinitesimal for A$AP Rocky, who has 2 children with vocalist Rihanna.

In May, helium is acceptable to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala alongside large names similar Anna Wintour, British contention car operator Lewis Hamilton, vocalist Pharrell Williams and hoops superstar LeBron James.

Later this summer, helium is besides acceptable to look successful a movie directed by Spike Lee called "Highest 2 Lowest" with acting fable Denzel Washington.

The prima was previously fixed a two-year suspended sentence for his relation successful a brawl successful Stockholm successful August 2019.

The rapper and 2 members of his entourage were convicted of kicking and beating a 19-year-old antheral aft an argument. They said they acted successful self-defence, but the tribunal rejected their argument.

The lawsuit drew worldwide media attraction aft US president Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to unafraid Mr Mayers's merchandise from situation arsenic helium awaited trial.

Born successful New York, Mr Mayers was 1 of the biggest break-out stars of the 2010s, earning 8 platinum singles successful the US including Wild For The Night, Everyday, LSD and A$AP Forever.

He roseate to fame aft being championed by Drake, and has worked with artists including Alicia Keys, Lana Del Rey, Skepta, Selena Gomez and Kendrick Lamar.

The BBC's Mark Savage contributed reporting.