Hip-hop artist, ASAP Rocky has been found not guilty of shooting his former friend and collaborator, Terell Ephron, known as ASAP Relli.
The jury reached its decision on Tuesday after nearly three hours of deliberation, clearing Rocky of two felony assault charges related to a 2021 incident in Los Angeles.
ASAP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was visibly emotional after the verdict. He jumped into the courtroom gallery to hug his wife, singer, and businesswoman, Rihanna and thanked the jury. “Thank you all for saving my life,” he told them.
The case centered on whether ASAP Rocky had used a real gun or a prop firearm during an argument with Relli. Prosecutors claimed Rocky fired a semiautomatic gun, grazing Relli’s hand.
However, Rocky’s defense argued that he had only fired blanks from a prop gun that had been used in a music video. No actual weapon was found as evidence in the case.
The incident took place in November 2021 near a Hollywood hotel. Relli testified that he and Rocky had agreed to meet to settle their differences but ended up in an argument.
He claimed Rocky pulled out a gun and fired at him. Surveillance footage was presented showing ASAP Rocky holding a gun before the shooting.
However, witnesses for the defense, including ASAP Twelvyy, stated that Relli knew the gun was fake and that Rocky had only used it to protect another friend, ASAP Illz.
Relli’s testimony was intense, and at one point, the judge had to calm him down in court. He also claimed that he had received death threats over the accusations.
The defense dismissed his claims, calling him unreliable and suggesting that he was trying to extort Rocky for financial gain.
With the case now over, ASAP Rocky is free to continue his career. He is set to perform at the Rolling Loud festival in March and will be a celebrity chair at the Met Gala in May. He also has a movie coming out, directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington.
Relli had also filed a lawsuit against ASAP Rocky for damages and defamation, but the defense believes the not-guilty verdict will weaken his legal claims.
This trial could have ended with ASAP Rocky facing up to 24 years in prison, but with the jury ruling in his favor, he can now move forward with his life and career.
Kanye West, 50 Cent React to ASAP Rocky’s Win
ASAP Rocky’s felony case has been a major topic of discussion in the music industry.
Both fans and fellow rappers shared their thoughts on his fate, with some fearing he could face a 24-year prison sentence, while others remained confident that the New York rapper would prevail.
In the end, the latter group was proven right. ASAP Rocky was acquitted of both felony assault charges and walked out of the Los Angeles courtroom a free man.
He celebrated alongside Rihanna, the mother of his children, and received support from fellow artists online.
Kanye West acknowledged ASAP Rocky’s acquittal by posting a photo of him on Instagram along with a prayer hand emoji.
While Kanye West kept his reaction subtle, the fact that he acknowledged the verdict at all was noteworthy.
He has been on an intense social media spree, attacking Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Diddy’s alleged victims while simultaneously promoting shirts featuring a Swastika.
After his outburst, he wiped his Twitter and Instagram accounts clean. His tribute to ASAP Rocky was the first and only post he made since clearing his Instagram.
Despite his controversies, Kanye West has consistently shown support for ASAP Rocky throughout his legal battle. He even spent the night at the rapper’s house on January 31.
West was spotted arriving at Rocky’s Los Angeles residence after a studio session. In the past, the outspoken artist even went so far as to ask Donald Trump to assist Rocky with his legal troubles.
Meanwhile, 50 Cent also weighed in on the ASAP Mob rapper’s acquittal, though with a more playful, trolling approach—which is expected from him. “Not Guilty I told 🥷🏾’s I would bet 500,000 K he gonna beat it,” 50 wrote on Instagram.
He then claimed that ASAP Relli gave misleading testimony, which ultimately worked against him in the case. “When ASAP Rellie started getting tired of telling 5 days straight, boom,” the rapper added. “Now stay sucker free!”
50 Cent continued his celebrations by FaceTiming with ASAP Rocky. A screenshot of their call was later shared on Rocky’s Instagram Stories with the caption: “My brothers 4 life.”
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