A$AP Rocky’s Trial In Sweden Begins
Crowds are gathering outside the court in Stockholm ahead of the start of ASAP Rocky’s trial today – I’m here with @maddysavage to report on everything happening across @BBCWorld and @BBCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/tsTvkFETXf
— Larissa Kennelly (@LarissaKennelly) July 30, 2019
After spending nearly a month in a Swedish detention center, A$AP Rocky‘s assault trial is officially underway in Stockholm District Court.
Tuesday, the “Peso” lyricist was led into the courtroom, handcuffed and wearing a green prison t-shirt, where he entered a not guilty plea, ABC News can confirm. Rocky claims he acted in self-defense when two men began to follow and then harass him on the streets of Stockholm, Sweden on June 30.
The prosecution, led by Daniel Suneson, alleges the rapper and two members of his entourage attacked the plaintiff, Mustafa Jafari, and hit him with a bottle. Jafari is now demanding $15,000 for personal damages.
However, a photo of the broken bottle was shown during today’s court proceedings, with Suneson confirming that the DNA found on it did not match that of Rocky or his co-defendants. Suneson cannot identity the DNA, ABC News has learned.
The ASAP Rocky court drawing for you (he’s in green, his mum in the middle) pic.twitter.com/qA6WnoSuKn
— Alex Marshall (@alexmarshall81) July 30, 2019
The trial is projected to last three days, but that may change when the court reconvenes on Thursday. If found guilty, Rocky faces up to two years in prison.
The rapper’s case has gained traction within the past few weeks with fans, fellow artists and even President Donald Trump publicly calling for Rocky’s release on social media.
Trump also said he phoned the Swedish Prime Minister to vouch for the Testing artist’s ability to make bail and but received a curt response that the U.S. should not meddle in Sweden’s judiciary process.
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