A$AP Rocky celebrated his acquittal in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday after jurors found him not guilty on two felony assault charges involving a semiautomatic firearm. As the verdict was announced, the courtroom erupted in joy, with Rocky leaping into Rihanna’s arms, both overcome with emotion. The three-week trial concluded after just three hours of jury deliberation, sparing Rocky—whose real name is Rakim Mayers—from a potential 20-year prison sentence.
The rapper, who declined a plea deal of six months in jail before the trial, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. Prosecutors had argued that an altercation with former friend A$AP Relli escalated to Rocky firing shots, though Relli sustained only a minor injury. Rocky’s defence claimed he was armed with a prop gun for security and fired it as a warning during the confrontation.
Despite the charges, the jury found reasonable doubt regarding his guilt, acknowledging the possibility of self-defence. Following the verdict, Rocky expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank y’all for saving my life.” The ruling comes at a pivotal moment in his career, with upcoming performances and film roles on the horizon, allowing him to focus on his professional ambitions without the burden of legal troubles.