American rapper A$AP Rocky can now breathe as he has been found not guilty in the felony assault trial that accused him of firing two shots at his former and childhood friend A$AP Relli (real name: Terell Ephron), following a heated argument in 2021 on a Hollywood street corner.
The 36-year-old hip-hop star and fashion mogul, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was acquitted on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. After a three-hour deliberation and a three-week trial that ended with closing arguments on Friday, a jury of seven women and five men reached a unanimous decision.
Following the verdict, the rapper, who was filled with joy, celebrated by jumping up and down while hugging people inside the courtroom, hugged his family, Rihanna who was seated behind him and hugged his lawyers before saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.” to the 12-member jury team.
Watch the video of the joyful moments below.
Rocky was arrested in 2022 and charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, which could cost him up to a 24-year prison sentence if found guilty.
Attorneys for Rocky prior to Friday’s closing argument told the July that Relli was telling lies about so many crucial things, which led to Rocky’s attorneys and the prosecution exchanging some sharp remarks in the courtroom.
Recall that A$AP Relli testified that Rocky confronted him outside a Hollywood parking garage and shot him during the confrontation; yes, he did, but Rocky denied all allegations.
On the testimony stand, Relli informed the jury that a bullet purportedly fired by Rocky had grazed his knuckles; however, officials never found a firearm, which became the main focus of the prosecution.
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When authorities searched the supposed scene, they too discovered no tangible signs of a shooting. Days later, though, Relli allegedly showed the police shell shells that he claimed to have recovered from the shooting site.
Rocky’s defense team claimed that Relli was carrying a “prop gun” for protection during the incident and accused him of extortion.
The claim was rejected by Relli’s lawyers, who maintained that the firearm was authentic.
Tuesday’s news comes as very sound news for the rapper as if you would remember, Rocky was in January offered a plea deal by prossecutors that included a 180-day jail term, but knowing very well that he knew his right and was wrongfully accused, A$ap Rocky turned down the deal.
“Yes, he was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is actually innocent,” his lawyer, Joe Tacopia, said at the time.
