A$AP Rocky enters not guilty plea in Swedish assault trial
The Swedish assault trial of rapper A$AP Rocky is now underway, and he has just entered a not guilty plea, CBS News reports.
The trial started in Stockholm District Court on Tuesday a month after the rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was arrested following a street brawl last month and charged with assault last week. He has remained in custody since July 3; Sweden does not have a bail system, CNN notes.
Prosecutors say A$AP Rocky "deliberately" attacked Mustafa Jafari, while he says he was acting in self-defense.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The case has gained nationwide attention including from President Trump, who Kim Kardashian urged to get involved. Trump on Thursday tweeted that he was "very disappointed" in the Swedish prime minister "for being unable to act," also writing that "I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers." In another tweet, Trump added, "Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM." The Swedish prime minister's press secretary in response said that the "government cannot and will not attempt to influence the legal proceedings," Vox reports.
A verdict is expected to be reached in the case on Friday, ABC News reports. If found guilty, A$AP Rocky faces a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published