A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty to allegations he fired gun at former friend

A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to allegations he fired a gun at a former friend and collaborator outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021.

A Los Angeles judge had previously found there was enough evidence for the rapper to stand trial after hearing testimony at a preliminary hearing.

Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm.

He allegedly pointed a handgun at Terell Ephron in November 2021 and allegedly fired the weapon in his direction in a subsequent confrontation.

After the musician entered his plea, Superior Court Judge Karla Kerlin set the next pre-trial date for 6 March – and the court heard a trial must take place within 45 days after that date.

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Outside court, defence lawyer Joe Tacopina said the rapper was confident he would be vindicated and was eager to get a trial “over with so he can start enjoying his family”, Rolling Stone reported.

He could be handed a sentence of up to 24 years in prison if convicted on all charges, prosecutors said.

The 35-year-old Grammy nominee and fashion mogul is in a relationship with Rihanna, with whom he has two young sons, RZA and Riot Rose.

Sitting in court wearing a grey suit with a white pin-striped shirt and navy striped tie, the rapper wished the judge a Happy New Year and gave his lawyers authorisation to appear on his behalf without his attendance at future hearings.

Rocky was previously given a two-year suspended sentence for assault during a fight in Stockholm, Sweden, in August 2019.