Cindy Ord/WireImage Rapper ASAP Rocky's shooting trial just started, and lawyers are already weighing the potential influence his longtime partner Rihanna could have over the proceedings. On Thursday,

The Harlem MC faces multiple counts of assault related to an incident where he allegedly shot at a friend near a Hollywood hotel in 2021.

One day after a jury was sworn in, opening statements are expected Friday in the Los Angeles trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, who is charged with two counts of assault stemming from allegations he pulled a gun on a hip-hop artist during an altercation in Hollywood and then fired at him soon after in a separate confrontation.

The rapper, who has two children with pop superstar Rihanna, has pleaded not guilty ... The trial is expected to start in a Los Angeles courtroom around 8.30am local time (4.30pm GMT).

Rihanna is said to be panicking that her boy toy, A$AP Rocky, could soon be sent to prison as he goes on trial Tuesday on felony assault charges.

Prosecutors in the A$AP Rocky trial are concerned that his superstar partner has enough star power to sway the jury.

A jury of five men and seven women has been seated for the trial of rapper A$AP Rocky, who is charged with firing a gun at a former friend.

Ellan Dimitrius, and Neama Rahmani tell Newsweek about Rihanna's potential impact on the jury in A$AP Rocky's assault trial.

A$AP Rocky's felony assault trial for allegedly shooting his former friend A$AP Relli begins on January 21 in Los Angeles.

A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles has ignited public interest, fueled by conflicting testimonies, jury controversies, and the notable absence of Rihanna. The case centers on allegations that Rocky fired multiple shots during a dispute with his former friend,

Superstar Rihanna's boyfriend, Rocky, 36 – who was not present at a trial readiness hearing at a downtown Los Angeles criminal court on Wednesday - has pleaded not guilty to two felony charges ...

Newsweek looks at all the developments in the first week of A$AP Rocky's felony assault trial stemming from allegedly shooting A$AP Relli in 2021.