A new rule about sensitive language just dropped in ASAP Rocky’s LA courtroom.
Court reporter Meghann Cuniff caught the moment Thursday (Jan. 30) when ASAP Relli, who claims Rocky shot at him in 2021, was being quizzed about some text messages. Rocky’s attorney kept quoting the actual slur from the texts – something that had been happening since the trial started last week after Rocky turned down a plea deal.
In a clip, you can hear Rocky speak up: “Your honor, can we refrain?” Judge Mark Arnold first told him to talk to his lawyers, but later stepped in with a clear message for everyone.
“In the future, and this is for all counsel, if there’s any exhibit or any recording that has the n-word, I want you in court to say ‘n-word,'” Arnold declared. “I don’t want you to say what it says. It’s the ‘n-word’ from now on … That applies to everybody.”
The rapper faces two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, though he maintains his innocence. Complex writer Shawn Setaro detailed how the trial’s been full of twists, including a surprise one-page LAPD ballistics report. Rocky’s high-profile lawyer Joe Tacopina – who’s represented Donald Trump and Michael Jackson – was fuming about this curveball, claiming it made the case impossible to continue.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been this upset in a courtroom in my whole career,” Tacopina told the judge.
This week saw Rihanna showing up to back her man in court. She and Rocky share two little boys together – RZA and Riot Rose.
