A jury of seven women and five men was selected over three days this week before opening arguments began Friday. The trial is expected to last about three weeks.
Authorities say the shooting happened on Nov. 6, 2021, in Hollywood after a “heated argument” between the rapper and Terrell Efron, who were both part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective and knew each other from their time together. are New York High School.
The rapper is accused of first brandishing a weapon during a physical argument just a block outside the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors say he later fired the weapon twice at the victim, injuring him slightly.
According to US media, the rapper rejected a pre-trial plea offer and said the weapon he was accused of firing was a There was a “prop gun” that was not capable of firing live ammunition. The AP news agency reported that this meant agreeing to 180 days in jail.
His lawyer told US media that he is ready for the trial and looking forward to putting it behind him.
“We’re ready to go. It’s been a long time,” his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told The Associated Press. “It’s been something that’s been on Rocky’s head and Rihanna and her family’s heads for a while. We’re excited to get this thing going and get behind it.”
A major point of contention in the case is the police investigation and injuries to Mr. Efron. Lawyers for the rapper argued in court documents that the case should be dismissed because it took several days for Mr. Efron to report the incident.
Authorities who responded to the shooting found no shell casings while surveying the area, but Mr. Efron later returned to the scene and collected two shell casings he said he found in the area. When he reported the incident two days later, he brought them.
The gun allegedly used in the incident has not been identified.
Mr. Meyers’ lawyer also questioned the wound on Mr. Efron’s hand, alleging that it may have been caused by a punch.
The trial comes at an important moment for A$AP Rocky, who has two children with singer Rihanna.
In May, he is set to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala alongside big names like Anna Wintour, British race car driver Lewis Hamilton, singer Pharrell Williams and basketball superstar LeBron James.
Later this summer, he is also set to appear in a movie directed by Spike Lee called “Highest 2 Lowest” starring acting legend Denzel Washington.
The star was previously given a two-year suspended sentence for his role in a brawl in Stockholm in August 2019.
The rapper and two members of his entourage were convicted of kicking and beating a 19-year-old man after an argument. He said he acted in self-defense, but the court rejected his argument.
The case attracted worldwide media attention after US President Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to secure Mr Meyers’ release from prison as he awaited trial.
Born in New York, Mr. Meyers was one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2010s, earning eight platinum singles in the US, including Wild for the Night, Everyday, LSD and A$AP Forever.
He rose to fame after championing 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.
