Al Sharpton Criticizes ‘Ridiculous’ Jury Selection Process That Could Infringe on A$AP Rocky’s Right to a Fair Trial

Civil Rights Activist Comments on A$AP Rocky’s Case

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton has shared his thoughts on A$AP Rocky’s upcoming trial over a fight with A$AP’s former friend Relly in 2021.

Rocky (born Rakim Myers) is currently on trial for two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm following a fight in November 2021 in which he allegedly shot his former friend Relly (real name Terell Efron).

Sharpton Highlights Jury Selection Issues

Sharpton took to X/Twitter to announce the jury selection process after only four black people were chosen as possible jurors in the New York man’s case, writing: “This was brought to my attention by the National Action Network (his civil rights organization). In the Los Angeles office, of the 106 people called to potentially serve as jurors in A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles, only four are black.”

At the National Action Network office in Los Angeles, it was brought to my attention that of the one hundred and six (106) people called to potentially serve as jurors in A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles, there are only four black people.

I was in close contact with A$AP…

— Rev. Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 22, 2025

He continued: “I have been in close contact with A$AP Rocky’s friends, and – although I do not know the details of the lawsuit – I know that he deserves a fair trial by his peers, which is his constitutional right.”

“It is absolutely ridiculous that a jury would not be fair and representative enough to deny A$AP Rocky a fair trial,” Sharpton added. “When we have four blacks out of 106 in Los Angeles — and exactly zero among the first 30 possible jury candidates — it seems like there’s something wrong with the system.”

He concluded by saying he is “monitoring” the trial to “ensure A$AP Rocky receives fair and representative justice.”

Current Status of the Trial

The rapper’s legal team has not yet raised any concerns about the jury selection process.

Rocky’s trial began on Friday (January 24) with a jury of seven women and five men. None of whom were black (by TMZ). Prosecutors alleged that the rapper “lured” Efron onto the street outside the W Hotel Hollywood in November 2021 to discuss a disagreement, which led to a physical altercation when Rocky pulled out a gun and shot him, grazing his knuckles. The fight was captured on CCTV cameras.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted.

This week, Rocky rejected a plea deal that would have seen him – instead of 24 years in prison – sentenced to three years probation, seven years suspended prison time, and 180 days in county jail. At the same meeting, his lawyers also stated they believed the gun on the surveillance tapes was a “prop gun.”

In other news, Rocky’s long-awaited fourth album, Don’t Be Dumb, was supposed to be released last August but is due out sometime this year. He reportedly delayed the recording due to leaks.