After a high-profile three-week trial, rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was acquitted of all charges in his 2021 felony shooting case.
A jury at the Los Angeles Superior Court delivered the not-guilty verdict on February 18, bringing an end to a legal battle that could have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence for the hip-hop star.
The Case Against A$AP Rocky
The prosecution accused Rocky of firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (Terrell Ephron), in November 2021 near a Hollywood hotel. Rocky faced two felony counts of assault with a firearm, with prosecutors initially seeking an eight-year prison term. If convicted on both counts, he could have faced up to 24 years behind bars.
During the trial, Ephron testified that Rocky deliberately shot at him following a heated dispute. However, Rocky’s legal team argued that the allegations were baseless, pointing out inconsistencies in Ephron’s statements and a lack of concrete forensic evidence tying Rocky to the shooting.
The Jury’s Decision and Courtroom Reaction
When the jury returned a not-guilty verdict, Rocky expressed visible relief, jumping over the courtroom rail to embrace his partner, music and fashion icon Rihanna. The couple later celebrated outside the courthouse, where Rocky addressed the media, saying:
“First of all, we want to thank God. We really want to thank the jury for making the right decision. We’re blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all.”
Rihanna also shared her gratitude on Instagram, writing, “THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE! THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY.”
Industry Reactions to the Verdict
The entertainment industry swiftly responded to the verdict, with several high-profile figures expressing their support for Rocky:
- Ye (formerly Kanye West) posted a black-and-white image of Rocky in the courtroom with a praying hands emoji, which received over 1.6 million likes within hours.
- Nicki Minaj shared a picture of Rocky, Rihanna, and their two sons with the caption, “To God Be The Glory.”
- 50 Cent, who had predicted Rocky would win the case, reacted by writing, “Not Guilty I told [ninja]’s I would bet 500,000 K he gonna beat it.”
- Filmmaker Spike Lee celebrated the verdict while promoting his upcoming movie Highest 2 Lowest, starring Rocky and Denzel Washington. He posted, “Thanks To The Judge And Jury For The NOT GUILTY VERDICT… A$AP And DENZEL WASHINGTON Are [fire] In HIGHEST 2 LOWEST. DA New SPIKE LEE JOINT This SUMMER.”
- Rapper Papoose shared a viral video of Rocky jumping over the rail to hug Rihanna, writing, “Man, I’m so happy for this dude. Peace to A$AP & his family! God is good.”
Legal Implications and Public Reaction
Legal analysts note that this verdict underscores the importance of credible witness testimony and forensic evidence in criminal trials. Rocky’s defense successfully cast doubt on the prosecution’s case, ultimately leading to his acquittal.
With the legal battle behind him, Rocky can now focus on his music career and family. The case has also reignited discussions about legal battles involving celebrities and the weight of public perception in high-profile trials.
