A$AP Rocky Cleared of Felony Assault and Gun Charges, Escapes 24-Year Prison Sentence
A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty and cleared of all felony assault charges following a three-week trial in Los Angeles, avoiding a potential 24-year prison sentence.
ASAP Rocky pointing while facing camera
Photo Credit: A$AP Rocky by Chad Cooper / CC by 2.0
The rapper faced two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a 2021 incident on Hollywood Blvd involving former friend A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron). The jury had to unanimously decide whether Rocky fired two shots at Relli near the W Hotel.
Rocky's defense team successfully argued that the alleged weapon was merely a prop firing blanks, supported by witness testimonies, despite the gun never being recovered. Defense attorney Joe Tacopina discredited Relli's testimony, describing him as "a perjury machine" and noting that Relli only sustained minor "knuckle scrapes" during the altercation.
Following the verdict, Rocky (whose real name is Rakim Mayers) 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 acknowledged the verdict, stating that while it wasn't their desired outcome, they respect the jury's decision and the justice system's integrity. He emphasized that fame doesn't 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.