Rapper ASAP Rocky’s trial has commenced, with lawyers considering the potential influence of his partner Rihanna. During jury selection, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin questioned a prospective juror about delivering a guilty verdict if Rihanna were present in court. The woman hesitated before answering.
Notably, Rihanna was not in court when the trial officially began. ASAP Rocky faces charges of assault with a semi-automatic firearm in connection to a 2021 shooting incident in Hollywood. His defense maintains his innocence, but if convicted, he could face up to 24 years in prison.
After two and a half days of jury selection, a podcast editor, an actor, and a long-time Trader Joe’s employee were chosen as jurors. While Rihanna has not shown up in court to support ASAP Rocky, Thomas Zizzo Jr., son of reality TV star Erika Jayne, was in attendance.
During the trial, Zizzo testified as one of the first law enforcement officers at the scene of the alleged shooting incident. Rihanna, who has been dating ASAP Rocky since late 2019, has kept a low profile regarding his legal troubles. In a 2024 interview, she opened up about their cautious approach to dating and the potential impact on each other’s lives.