Los Angeles — In a significant courtroom decision, rapper A$AP Rocky was cleared of all charges in a felony assault trial. The verdict was reached on Tuesday, concluding a trial that captured intense public and media attention due to its high-profile nature and the rapper’s celebrity connections.
A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, faced two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. These charges stemmed from a November 2021 incident where he was accused of shooting at a former friend and fellow artist, A$AP Relli, in Hollywood, California. If convicted, the 36-year-old, a three-time Grammy nominee, could have faced up to 24 years in prison.
During the trial, the courtroom was filled with moments of high emotion. After the jury, composed of seven women and five men, announced the acquittal following approximately three hours of deliberation, A$AP Rocky leaped over the courtroom barrier to embrace his partner, the global music star Rihanna. The emotional scene underscored the relief and joy felt by those closest to the rapper.
Rihanna, visibly moved by the outcome, later expressed her gratitude and relief on social media, attributing the favorable outcome to divine intervention and emphasizing her humbled state.
The jury’s decision concluded a month-long trial, which included detailed testimonies and the presentation of various pieces of evidence. The defense argued that the shots fired were from a prop gun loaded with blanks, which A$AP Rocky had acquired for a music video production. This claim was a critical part of the rapper’s argument that he did not intend to cause actual harm.
Prior to the trial, A$AP Rocky had declined a plea deal that would have included a six-month jail sentence coupled with probation. Under the deal, he would have had to plead guilty to one of the charges, an option he ultimately refused, leading to the full trial.
The case was heavily followed both in the press and on social media, where fans and critics speculated about the potential impact of a guilty verdict on A$AP Rocky’s career. His music, which includes hits like “Wild for the Night” and “Praise the Lord (Da Shine),” has earned him a substantial following.
At trial, A$AP Relli testified that he had experienced a bullet graze his knuckle during the incident but was not seriously injured. This testimony was part of the broader discussion about the nature of the altercation and the intentions behind A$AP Rocky’s actions.
Following the verdict, celebrations were evident both inside and outside the courtroom as A$AP Rocky and his entourage, including Rihanna, shared moments of jubilation.
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