Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of two counts of felony assault after a trial in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The musician, who shares two children with Rihanna, faced up to two decades in prison if convicted of shooting at former friend Terell Ephron (A$AP Relli) in Hollywood in 2021.
Courtroom Drama
As the verdict was read, there was a commotion in the courtroom, with Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, seen hugging supporters in relief.
During the trial, prosecutors claimed Mayers fired a 9mm semi-automatic weapon, grazing Ephron’s hand. However, the defense argued that the alleged weapon was merely a prop gun, commonly used in music videos.
Key Testimonies
- Ephron claimed Rocky lured him to a parking garage, pulled a gun, and threatened to kill him before firing twice.
- Defense lawyer Joe Tacopina countered that no shell casings or firearm were found at the scene, accusing Ephron of fabricating the allegations for extortion.
Verdict & Reactions
Following the not-guilty verdict, Tacopina stated: “The jury saw through the mirage of a case. This was an extortion attempt that played out in court.”
Neither Mayers nor Rihanna has made a public statement, though Rihanna was present frequently during the trial.
A$AP Rocky’s Legal History
This is not Rocky’s first brush with the law. In 2019, he received a suspended prison sentence in Sweden after a fight on an incident that escalated into a diplomatic dispute, prompting intervention from then-U.S. President Donald Trump.