A$AP Rocky Acquitted of All Felony Assault and Gun Charges, Escapes 24-Year Prison Sentence
A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of all felony assault charges after a three-week trial in Los Angeles, avoiding a potential 24-year prison sentence.
ASAP Rocky pointing while facing camera
Photo Credit: A$AP Rocky by Chad Cooper / CC by 2.0
The rapper faced two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a 2021 incident on Hollywood Boulevard. The case centered around allegations that Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, fired shots at former friend A$AP Relli near the W Hotel.
Rocky's defense team successfully argued that the alleged weapon was merely a prop firing blanks, a claim supported by multiple witnesses despite the gun never being recovered. His attorney, Joe Tacopina, challenged the credibility of A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), characterizing him as "a perjury machine" and noting that he only sustained minor "knuckle scrapes" during the altercation.
After the verdict, Rocky embraced his legal team and partner Rihanna, who was present in the courtroom. The couple shares two children together.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman responded to the verdict stating, "While today's verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury's decision and the integrity of our justice system," adding that "fame does not place anyone above the law."
A three-time Grammy nominee, Rocky is set to release his fourth studio album, "Don't Be Dumb," later this year. His most recent nomination was for Best Music Video for "Tailor Swif."
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