The judge presiding over A$AP Rocky‘s felony assault trial stunned the courtroom when he appeared to flirt with the rapper’s mom.
Rocky was supported by his sister, Erika Mayers, and their mom, Renee Black, on day 3 of the trial in Los Angeles on Thursday.
A shocking moment came during the trial when Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark S. Arnold asked Rocky about the 2 women who were with him in court.
Rocky identified the well-groomed ladies as his mother and sister.
Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina joked, “You can’t tell, right, which one’s the mom?”
That’s when Judge Arnold said, “You must have had him when you were about 7?” The courtroom gasped because pedophilia is a touchy subject in LA.
Black clarified that she was 26 when she gave birth to her first child.
Judge Arnold then said to Black, “You are very beautiful. That’s on the record.”
Legal experts say the judge’s comments may seem inappropriate during an ongoing criminal trial.
Judge Arnold previously asked about Rocky and pop singer Rihanna’s marital status. When told she was the rapper’s “common-law wife,” Arnold stated that Rihanna would have to be referred to as ASAP Rocky’s “significant other” — not “common-law wife” — since they are not legally married in the US.
READ ALSO: Prosecutor told A$AP Rocky’s mom ‘he should’ve taken the plea deal’
Sources say Rihanna and Rocky are married in her native Barbados. Rocky’s father is a native of Barbados.
The rapper rejected a final plea deal offer to serve 180 days in prison and seven years probation for shooting at his former friend A$AP Relli in 2021.
Rocky denied firing a gun at the former A$AP Mob rapper during a street fight outside a Hollywood hotel.
Tacopina, claimed the gun Rocky was seen holding in surveillance video was actually a starter pistol which he carried for security reasons.
But Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John Lewin said Rocky’s lawyer never mentioned the starter pistol during earlier hearings.
Lewin said the “brand new defense” was based on a witness they have “never been able to talk to.”
Rocky faces a maximum of 24 years in prison if convicted on both felony charges.
