Key Points:
- A$AP Rocky was acquitted of all charges after a brief three-hour jury deliberation.
- The trial revolved around claims that he fired a gun at former friend A$AP Relli during a dispute in 2021.
- His defense argued that he used a prop gun in self-defense, leading to reasonable doubt in the case.
A$AP Rocky Cleared of Firearm Charges in High-Profile Trial
A$AP Rocky walked out of a Los Angeles courtroom a free man after being found not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The verdict, read aloud on Tuesday, brought immediate relief to the rapper and his partner, Rihanna, who was present in court. Overcome with emotion, the couple embraced as the courtroom erupted in cheers.
The trial, which lasted three weeks, concluded swiftly when the jury reached a verdict in just three hours. If convicted, Rocky, legally known as Rakim Mayers, faced over two decades behind bars. Instead, he was acquitted, sparing him a life-altering prison sentence. As the jurors left the courtroom, Rocky expressed deep gratitude, saying, "Thank y’all for saving my life."
A Risk That Paid Off
Leading up to the trial, prosecutors had offered Rocky a plea deal of six months in jail, probation, and additional conditions in exchange for a guilty plea. Confident in his innocence, he declined the deal and put his fate in the hands of the jury—a gamble that ultimately worked in his favor. The jury’s decision indicated at least some level of doubt regarding the prosecution's claims.
Rihanna, who attended parts of the trial and brought the couple’s two young sons to the closing arguments, was visibly emotional after the verdict. She joined Rocky and his legal team in a tearful embrace, celebrating the hard-fought victory.
The Case Against Rocky
The charges stemmed from a confrontation in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, involving Rocky and A$AP Relli, a former friend and member of the A$AP Mob. Prosecutors alleged that during an argument, Rocky pulled out a firearm and fired twice, grazing Relli’s knuckle.
Rocky's defense team countered this narrative, claiming that he had been carrying a prop gun taken from a music video set and only fired it as a warning after Relli allegedly attacked another crew member. They argued that no evidence conclusively proved the gun was real and that self-defense was a reasonable explanation for Rocky’s actions.
One of the key points raised during the trial was that no mention of the prop gun had surfaced in the three years since the incident—only coming up when jury selection began. The jurors were instructed that they could acquit Rocky if they believed he had acted in self-defense or if they found reasonable doubt about the firearm’s authenticity.
Moving Forward
The verdict comes at a crucial time in Rocky’s career. With major events lined up, including headlining the Rolling Loud music festival, serving as a co-chair for the Met Gala, and starring alongside Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film, the rapper can now focus on his future without legal troubles looming over him.
Following the trial, Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, reiterated that his client never wanted Rihanna to be involved in the courtroom proceedings, but she remained by his side regardless. "Wild horses couldn’t keep her away," Tacopina said, acknowledging the couple’s deep bond.
While the jury did not reveal whether their decision was based on believing the prop gun claim or self-defense, one thing remains certain—A$AP Rocky is now free to continue his life and career without the weight of a criminal conviction
