The deal, which would have included days in jail, three years of probation, and a suspended seven-year sentence, required Mayers to plead guilty to one of two assault charges stemming from a altercation.
However, the year-old artist, widely recognized for his contributions to music and fashion, opted to proceed to trial instead. The high-profile case has drawn national attention as jury selection is now underway in Los Angeles. If convicted, Mayers faces up to 24 years in prison.
The charges against Mayers stem from an altercation that occurred on November 6, , in Hollywood. Later that evening, Mayers allegedly fired the weapon, though no one was injured. In August , Mayers was formally charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Prosecutors also allege that Mayers personally used the firearm during the incident, further escalating the seriousness of the charges.
Tacopina claims the pistol was carried solely for security purposes and insists it was incapable of inflicting harm. The defense plans to call several witnesses to testify that the firearm in the security footage was indeed a harmless prop, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Before jury selection began, prosecutors presented Mayers with a plea deal in a last-minute effort to avoid trial.
The agreement required him to admit to one assault charge in exchange for a reduced sentence: days in jail, three years of probation, and a suspended seven-year sentence. Mayers, however, declined the offer, stating that he would not accept responsibility for actions he denies committing. Jury selection is expected to take several days, with opening statements anticipated shortly after. The trial will also be televised, marking a rare departure from standard practice in Los Angeles County courts.
