After facing serious legal charges, A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of all counts in his felony shooting trial.
The rapper, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was found not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, a decision that could have spared him from over 24 years in prison.
Upon hearing the verdict, Rocky turned to the jury and expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”
Rocky’s Emotional Reaction and Rihanna’s Support
The moment was deeply emotional, not just for the rapper but for his partner, Rihanna.
As the verdict was read, the Grammy-winning artist couldn’t hold back her tears.
The courtroom, which was filled with excited fans and supporters of both Rocky and Rihanna, erupted in cheers as the couple shared a heartfelt embrace.
Rihanna, who has been by Rocky’s side throughout the trial, was visibly relieved, hugging him tightly as they both sobbed in front of the jury.
The High-Stakes Legal Gamble That Paid Off
With the prospect of years in prison hanging over him, Rocky made a bold decision.
Just days before his trial began, the prosecution offered him a plea deal: six months in jail, probation, and other conditions if he pled guilty to a single charge.
However, Rocky, determined to maintain his innocence, refused the deal and chose to go to trial instead, hoping the jury would see reasonable doubt.
That gamble paid off, as the jury deliberated for around three hours before returning the unanimous not guilty verdict.
Despite the heavy stakes, Rocky felt the need to fight for his freedom—not just for his career, but for his young family.
He has two sons with Rihanna, aged two and one, and he was determined not to let the legal battle affect his future with them.
His decision to stand firm was clearly vindicated when the jury sided with him.
A Busy Year Ahead for A$AP Rocky
Now, with the trial behind him, A$AP Rocky can focus on the bright future ahead.
This year is shaping up to be a significant one for the rapper, who already has a packed schedule.
He’s set to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March, co-chair fashion’s biggest night—the Met Gala—in May, and star in the upcoming film Highest 2 Lowest alongside Denzel Washington.
The movie, directed by Spike Lee, is slated for a summer release.
With no prison sentence looming, Rocky is free to pursue these opportunities and continue to build on his already successful career.
The Alleged Incident and the Legal Drama
The trial centered around an alleged altercation that took place in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, involving A$AP Relli, a former member of the A$AP Mob crew.
Prosecutors claimed that after a heated argument, Rocky pulled out a gun and fired two shots at Relli, one of which grazed his knuckle.
However, Rocky’s defense team argued that the gun was actually a prop used in a music video, and that Rocky only fired it as a warning when he believed Relli was attacking one of his friends.
Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, dismissed the allegations, labeling Relli as a “pathological liar” who had repeatedly lied under oath.
Tacopina and his team also presented evidence suggesting that Relli had no serious injuries and that the shooting might have been an act of self-defense or a precautionary measure with the prop gun.
Legal Complexity and the Jury’s Decision
Despite the complexities of the case, the jury’s verdict came down to whether they believed Rocky acted in self-defense or whether the gun was actually a prop as the defense claimed.
The jury was instructed that if they believed Rocky acted reasonably to protect himself or his friends, they could find him not guilty.
The jurors ultimately didn’t need to explain their reasoning, as long as they reached a unanimous decision.
Whether they accepted the argument about the prop gun or sided with the self-defense claim is unclear, but the result was the same—Rocky was acquitted.
Prosecutor’s Remarks on the Family Aspect of the Case
Throughout the trial, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin made it clear that he wanted the jury to focus solely on the facts of the case, not on Rocky’s fame or his relationship with Rihanna.
He even suggested that Rihanna’s decision to bring their children to the trial during closing arguments was an attempt to influence the jury’s emotions.
“You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,” Lewin said.
“We are all responsible for our own actions in the world.”
Nonetheless, the jury returned a verdict based on the evidence presented, and Rocky was freed.
With his trial behind him, A$AP Rocky now looks to the future, relieved that his legal battles are over and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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