A$AP Rocky declines to testify in his felony assault trial

Rapper A$AP Rocky declined to testify Tuesday at his trial where he faces two felony accounts of assault stemming from an alleged shooting of a former friend at a Los Angeles hotel.

During Tuesday's court hearing, the 36-year-old rapper, born Rakim Mayers, waived his right to testify in the highly publicized trial. "You understand you have a right to get on the stand and give your side of the case," Superior Judge Mark Arnold told Rocky. "Also, you have a right under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution not to testify. You cannot be compelled to testify."

The judge continued, "It's totally your decision to either get on the stand or waive your right to testify."

"I want my right to not testify," Rocky replied firmly.

He was seated at the defense table next to his lawyer Joe Tacopina, who then rested the defense's case. The prosecution may call one more witness later Tuesday, and closing arguments are expected to come Thursday.

Rocky's attorney Tacopina had previously said late Monday that the rapper would take the stand Tuesday or the defense would rest its case, according to the Associated Press. An attorney for the prosecution, AP reports, said his team would prepare for Rocky's possible testimony if it came to that.

Before the trial began, Tacopina had said Rocky was "eager to tell his story" and that "he would love the opportunity to do so." Defendants testifying in their own criminal cases is a notoriously risky move in the American legal system.

Rocky is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm after he allegedly shot in A$AP Relli's, born Terell Ephron, direction after an argument near a Hollywood hotel on Nov. 6, 2021. Rocky could serve up to 24 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

A$AP Rocky trial: A$AP Twelvyy testifies, Rocky may take the stand

Rocky previously opted out of a pre-trial plea deal that could have amounted to a mere 180-day sentence.

Rihanna, Rocky's longtime girlfriend and the mother of his two children, has appeared in court steadily throughout the trial, according to The Associated Press and Rolling Stone, sitting alongside his mother and sister.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A$AP Rocky declines to testify in his felony assault trial