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A$AP Rocky appeared in court with celebrity attorney Joe Tacopina in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday as jury selection began in his serious assault case.
Rocky has been charged with two felonies in connection with an incident in which he allegedly pulled a gun and fired a gun at his former childhood friend A$AP Leri, aka Terrell Efron.
He has pleaded not guilty and could face up to 24 years in prison.
“Extra” recently sat down with Tacopina to discuss the influence the rapper’s superstar girlfriend Rihanna may have on the case.
The mother of his two children could be called to testify against him about what she knows.
Tacopina said, “This case isn’t about Rihanna, but I think the DA’s office wants to make sure people don’t become obsessed with Rihanna. They’ll be so blinded by their love for Rihanna that they won’t listen.” spoke. evidence and facts of the incident. I don’t think that’s the case. I think people are too smart for that. ”
“We’re ready. I mean, it’s been a long time, more than two years,” Tacopina added. “This issue has been weighing heavily on Rocky and Rihanna and the heads of their families for some time, and we are ready for it. We are starting this effort and following in his footsteps. I want to.”
Tacopina believes this case is about “money, money, money.”
Tacopina said the case against Rocky is weak and “relies on testimony from unreliable people, but I believe the defense is very strong.”
Surveillance video of the alleged shooting remains, but the gun has not been recovered.
“I think the police were very efficient in this investigation. I think they did a great job. I think they did a thorough search and if there was anything they could find there, they would have found it,” Tacopina said. I think there’s a reason why 10 police officers searched and didn’t find any shell casings.”
Despite Tacopina’s comments, Nathan Hockman of the Los Angeles DA’s Office feels confident his team will win, stating: We can win these cases by establishing and adhering to a burden of proof that exceeds a reasonable double. I believe that the evidence that will be presented in this case will meet that burden. ”
