Rapper A$AP Rocky was found not guilty on Tuesday of two counts of felony assault with a semiautomatic handgun, prompting a joyous outburst from the musician and his partner, superstar Rihanna, The Associated Press reports.
The jury delivered the swift verdict after a three-week trial in Los Angeles, clearing Rocky of charges that could have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.
“Thank y’all for saving my life,” Rocky reportedly shouted to the jurors as they departed.
The acquittal allows Rocky to proceed with a career surge that includes headlining the Rolling Loud music festival next month in Los Angeles. He is also slated to co-chair the prestigious Met Gala in New York City in May, alongside LeBron James and Pharrell Williams. Additionally, Rocky is set to make his major motion picture debut this summer, co-starring with Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film, “Highest 2 Lowest.”
The trial stemmed from an incident on November 6, 2021, in Hollywood. Prosecutors alleged that Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, engaged in a dispute with a former friend, A$AP Relli, also a member of the A$AP Mob, a crew the two were involved in since high school. They claimed Rocky fired a handgun twice at Relli during a scuffle involving other former crew members, A$AP Twelvyy and A$AP Illz. Relli testified that one of the shots grazed his knuckle, causing minor injury.
Rocky’s defense argued that he fired a prop gun loaded with blanks, which he had been carrying for security purposes. They portrayed Relli as an opportunist seeking financial gain from Rocky, highlighting a pending civil lawsuit filed by Relli against the rapper.
The jury was instructed to consider whether Rocky reasonably believed that he or his companions were in imminent danger of injury and whether he used reasonable force in response.
The verdict marks a significant victory for Rocky, who declined a pre-trial offer of six months in jail with probation for a guilty plea. Had he been convicted on the felony charges, he faced a potential prison sentence of up to 24 years.
Following the reading of the verdict, Rocky leapt into the arms of Rihanna, who was seated in the courtroom with his mother and sister. The courtroom erupted in cheers as the couple made their way out, navigating a crowd of photographers, reporters, and fans. Rihanna had attended several days of the trial, even bringing the couple’s two young sons, 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers, to the closing arguments.
It remains unclear precisely which legal reasoning led the jury to their unanimous decision after only three hours of deliberation. However, the verdict clearly indicates they were unconvinced by the prosecution’s case.
Outside the courthouse, Rocky reportedly suggested that his attorney, Joe Tacopina, who has represented high-profile figures like Alex Rodriguez and President Donald Trump, should join his crew.
