ASAP Rocky not guilty of shooting at former friend ASAP Relli, jury finds
A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty for shooting at former friend A$AP Relli in 2021.
Following three weeks of testimony, on Tuesday Rocky — born Rakim Mayers — was acquitted of all criminal charges in the case, which stemmed from a 2021 incident in which he allegedly fired a gun in the direction of Terrell Ephron — formerly A$AP Relli — in Hollywood, California. The Grammy-nominated rapper had been charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
After a juror read out their first not guilty verdict, an ecstatic Rocky, huddling with his defense attorneys, leapt up and into the audience, where Rihanna was reportedly seated.
He took a moment to embrace her, according to The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, and returned to hear the second verdict, also not guilty. The jury's decision was met with a collective roar from those seated in the gallery.
As jurors exited the courtroom, Rocky expressed his gratitude to the 12-person jury, which comprised seven women and five men: "Thank y’all for saving my life."
Rocky, who did not testify in his case, previously turned down prosecutors' pre-trial plea deal of a six-month sentence. He is slated to co-chair the Met Gala in May, and he's starring in Spike Lee’s upcoming film "Highest 2 Lowest" later this year.
The 36-year-old rapper faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted on all charges. He is also facing a separate civil lawsuit from Ephron.
The jury began deliberations Tuesday morning following a three-week-long trial in Los Angeles.
A$AP Rocky trial biggest moments: Rihanna appearances, Relli's lively testimony
Rihanna joins A$AP Rocky outside courtroom
Rocky is the longtime partner of Rihanna, the billionaire Fenty Beauty founder and nine-time Grammy-winning recording artist with whom he shares two children: 1-year-old Riot and 2-year-old RZA.
"We want to thank God first," Rocky told reporters outside the courthouse, while flanked by his legal team and Rihanna. "This is crazy right now."
"I'm thankful and blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y'all," he added.
Shortly after, on her Instagram story, the Savage X Fenty founder wrote: "THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE! THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY!"
Rihanna made frequent appearances throughout the trial, often sitting with Rocky's mom and sister among the court spectators. On Feb. 13, Rihanna brought in reinforcements for the case's closing arguments and sat in the courtroom with her and Rocky's two sons, according to the AP and Rolling Stone.
LA County District Attorney reacts to not guilty verdict
LA County's newly elected district attorney, Nathan Hochman, acknowledged that prosecutors were delivered a blow in Rocky's case. He also maintained his office's commitment to going after those who break the law, even if they are celebrities.
"While today's verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury’s decision and the integrity of our justice system. Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence," Hochman said in a statement Tuesday night.
"Fame does not place anyone above the law, and we will not waver in our pursuit of justice for victims and the community."
What was ASAP Rocky accused of?
In court, the rapper was accused by prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office of brandishing a gun and firing shots that grazed his former friend's knuckles as Rocky's defense attorney Joe Tacopina argued the alleged weapon was only a prop gun.
The alleged victim Ephron was, at times, an animated witness, providing passionate testimony. His contradictory statements likely complicated the jury's verdict after his behavior on the stand.
During cross-examination on Jan. 30, Ephron seemingly grew impatient as Tacopina questioned him in court.
He caused a stir when he shouted at Rocky: "You did this to yourself!" Judge Mark Arnold sternly instructed Ephron to "not talk to the defendant," leading the judge to call a brief recess so Ephron's lawyer could explain to him how to answer properly in court.
Earlier in the trial, Ephron reversed previous testimony, in which he said a video of him at a gun club had likely been filmed in New Jersey.
He later reversed course amid pressure from Rocky's attorney, admitting before the jury that the video showed him shooting a semiautomatic gun at an LA gun club two weeks before the alleged incident took place, according to Rolling Stone and Courthouse News Service. His contradictory statements were just one piece of the weeks of testimony that the jury considered in reaching their verdict.
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY; Lisa Richwine, Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ASAP Rocky case: Rapper found not guilty in ASAP Relli shooting