A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty of Felony Assault
Hip-hop artist A$AP Rocky was acquitted of felony assault charges on Tuesday related to a 2021 incident where he was accused of shooting at a former friend and music partner in Hollywood.
Celebration in the Courtroom
When the verdict was read, cheers erupted in the courtroom. Rocky quickly ran to embrace his family, including his partner, pop star Rihanna, who was present during the trial.
A$AP Rocky’s Reaction
“Thank you all for saving my life. Thank you. You made the right decision,” said Rocky, addressing the jurors as they left the courtroom.
The Charges Against A$AP Rocky
Rakim Mayers, also known as A$AP Rocky, was charged on August 15, 2022, with two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. He was accused of firing a handgun in the direction of Terrell Ephron (Relli) during a confrontation.
Jury Deliberations
The jury panel, consisting of seven women and five men, began deliberations on Tuesday morning. If convicted, Mayers could have faced up to 24 years in prison. He had pleaded not guilty.
Background on Rocky and A$AP Relli
Mayers and Ephron were childhood friends and both were members of the Harlem-based rap collective, A$AP Mob. The trial started with jury selection on January 21. Ephron served as the star witness for the prosecution and claimed that Mayers shot at him, causing a bullet to graze his hand. Also: The wealthiest celebrity in the world is an actress who hasn’t appeared in a film in over a decade, and her fortune surpasses that of Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson.
Mayers Declines to Testify
Mayers chose not to take the witness stand during the trial. The gun, which was never found by authorities, became a major point of debate. Prosecutors argued it was a real weapon, while Mayers’ defense team said it was a “prop gun” used for personal security.
Plea Deal Rejected
Before jury selection, Mayers turned down a plea deal offered by the prosecutors, which would have resulted in a 180-day jail term.
