Los Angeles (California): A Los Angeles jury has acquitted rapper A$AP Rocky of all felony assault charges, concluding a widely publicized three-week trial.
According to Variety, the Harlem-born rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron), outside a Hollywood hotel in November 2021.
Rocky, who had pleaded not guilty and faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted, was visibly emotional as the verdict was announced. His defense team, partner Rihanna, and family members in the courtroom celebrated the decision with cheers and tears of relief.
The trial focused on the altercation between Rocky and Ephron on Hollywood Boulevard, during which Ephron claimed that Rocky pointed a gun at him and fired shots that grazed his hand. However, Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, countered that Ephron’s injuries were minor and alleged that Rocky had only used a prop gun to break up a scuffle.
Tacopina further argued that Ephron had “planted” evidence, including two 9mm shell casings, in an attempt to extort Rocky, citing Ephron’s $30 million civil lawsuit against the rapper as proof of ulterior motives.
The trial saw heated exchanges between Tacopina and prosecutor John Lewin, with Tacopina accusing Lewin of unethical behavior—an allegation Lewin strongly denied.
Rocky’s acquittal marks the end of a high-profile legal battle that had gripped the music and entertainment industries, solidifying his innocence in the eyes of the law.