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A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty in Assault Case, Avoids Decades-Long Prison Sentence

BBG News

Los Angeles – On Tuesday, A$AP Rocky leaped from the defendant’s table into Rihanna’s embrace, as a court clerk announced the ‘not guilty’ verdict in relation to the two charges of assault with a semi-automatic weapon that he faced during the trial.

In the Los Angeles courtroom, buzzing with enthusiasts of the hip-hop artist and his famous pop singer companion, a joyful outburst of screams erupted when Rocky and Rihanna hugged and wept.

Following a three-week court case, the jurors took only three hours to decide on a verdict, which resulted in Rocky, known as Rakim Mayers, avoiding a potential prison term exceeding twenty years.

“Thank y’all for saving my life,” he told the jurors as they left the Los Angeles courtroom.

Even amidst the tumultuous court proceedings, the clerk had to take some time to decipher the second ‘not guilty’ judgment, as it was rather uncommon for the jury to disagree on the charges.

Before the trial commenced, Rocky declined an offer from the prosecution that included six months in prison, probation, and additional terms, provided he admitted guilt for a single charge.

Choosing to stand firm on his claim of innocence, Rocky took the risk that the jury would share this sentiment. His bet proved successful as the jurors at least questioned whether he was truly guilty.

In a heartfelt moment, both Rihanna and Rocky expressed their emotions by shedding tears and embracing the defense attorneys. Their attendance at the trial was not regular, but when they did come, they brought along their two sons – 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers – for some of the final statements in court.

The judgment arrived at the peak of Rocky’s popularity, although it wasn’t his absolute zenith in the music industry. This three-time Grammy nominee, fashion entrepreneur, and actor is poised for a remarkable year ahead, free from the looming shadow of imprisonment. He’s slated to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March, serves as one of the celebrity co-chairs for fashion’s most significant event, the Met Gala, in May, and will share the screen with Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film “Highest 2 Lowest,” which is due for release in early summer.

According to prosecutors and their witnesses, there was an ongoing dispute between him and his former friend, A$AP Relli, who were part of a group known as the A$AP Mob since high school. They claimed that on November 6, 2021, in Hollywood, the two men encountered each other, leading to a physical altercation. Subsequently, it was alleged that he brandished a firearm and discharged it twice towards Relli. Relli asserted that one of the bullets only grazed his knuckle, but he sustained no severe injuries.

In simpler terms, during the final speech, Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, stated that the individual named Relli consistently lies with anger and has been caught in numerous instances of lying under oath, which is a form of dishonesty known as perjury.

Testimonies presented by Rocky’s legal team stated that Rocky used a prop gun that discharges blanks, which he had been keeping for safety purposes since obtaining it from a music video production several months prior. They claimed he fired the weapon as a precautionary measure because Relli was assaulting another individual in their team.

Three years had passed since the event, but it wasn’t until the trial’s jury selection started that anyone brought up the fake gun to the authorities for the first time.

If Rocky perceived an immediate threat of harm to himself or any of his companions from that evening, and if he responded with a reasonable amount of force, then it might be possible for the judge to rule that the defendant acted in self-defense and therefore found him not guilty.

As a movie enthusiast, I couldn’t immediately tell if the verdict was based on the belief that the defendant actually had a prop gun or if he was defending himself. The jury wasn’t required to share their reasoning or justify it beyond the confines of their deliberation room. All they needed was to arrive at the same decision.

Rocky opted not to testify in his own defense.

In his final speech, Assistant District Attorney John Lewin advised the jurors to disregard any factors related to the case’s celebrities or family ties, implying that Rihanna’s presence with the children during closing arguments was a deliberate effort to sway the jury’s decision.

The prosecutor stated that we should not think about how our actions may impact Rihanna and her children, as each person is accountable for their own behavior in this world.

Outside the courthouse following the verdict, I shared with everyone present that “Rocky had no desire for her presence; let me assure you of that.” As a cinephile, I find it compelling to express my thoughts in a way that resonates with fellow enthusiasts.

He said Rocky “wanted to shield her from this. Wild horses couldn’t keep her away.”

“I cant imagine this has been anything but a life-altering experience for them,” he said.

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2025-02-19 06:06

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