Los Angeles (California) [US], February 19: Rihanna has shared her first statement following the acquittal of her partner A$AP Rocky on felony assault charges, thanking God for the favorable outcome. The singer took to Instagram to express her gratitude, writing, “The glory belongs to God and God alone. Thankful. Humbled by his mercy.”
A Los Angeles jury found A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, not guilty on all counts of felony assault, bringing an end to a highly publicized three-week trial. Rocky had been accused of firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron), outside a hotel in Hollywood in November 2021.
Rocky, who faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted, had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial focused on an alleged confrontation between Rocky and Ephron on Hollywood Boulevard, during which Ephron claimed that Rocky aimed a gun at his head and stomach, firing shots that grazed his hand.
However, Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued that Ephron’s injuries were minor and suggested that Rocky had used a prop gun to break up a scuffle between Ephron and Rocky’s entourage. Tacopina also claimed that Ephron had “planted” evidence, including two 9mm shell casings, in an attempt to extort the rapper.
Rihanna, who has been a steadfast supporter of Rocky throughout the trial, was present in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered.