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Rapper ASAP Rocky acquitted of assault charge over alleged Hollywood shooting

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Rapper ASAP Rocky was found not guilty on charges of assault related to a shooting incident in Hollywood last year. The verdict concluded a month-long trial that saw accusations of courtroom impropriety and regular appearances from his famous girlfriend, Rihanna.

In a crowded courtroom, even Rihanna herself was present, and she excitedly rushed to embrace Rocky once the court clerk proclaimed “not guilty.” This announcement sent a wave of cheers through his supporters.

Rocky expressed gratitude to everyone as they left, saying, ‘Thank you for giving me another chance at life.’ He also added, ‘I believe you are making the correct choice.’

In November 2021, the rapper known as A$AP Rocky (whose real name is Rakim Mayers) was implicated in a shooting incident involving his ex-friend and fellow ASAP Mob member, Terrell Ephron, better known as ASAP Relli. This altercation took place near The W Hotel in Hollywood.

Over time, friends who had been instrumental in establishing the ASAP rap group in Harlem, where Rocky’s career took off, grew distant as his fame increased. Disagreements escalated when Ephron mistakenly believed that Rocky failed to honor a commitment to cover funeral expenses for another ASAP member, culminating in a heated argument that resulted in Rocky shooting Ephron in the hand.

Lawyer Joe Tacopina argued that Rocky acted in self-defense when Ephron assaulted him on the street. Prior to the trial, Tacopina acknowledged that Rocky was the individual seen in the footage firing at Ephron, yet he maintained that the firearm was a fake or “prop gun” which Rocky had taken from the set of a music video he was filming with Rihanna.

At sentencing, Rocky could potentially spend up to 20 years behind bars, given that the prosecution submitted a request to increase his sentence due to the involvement of a firearm in the crime he committed.

Initially, it seemed like there wasn’t much proof regarding the incident. The Los Angeles police officers who arrived at the scene following 911 calls on that night found no indications of a shooting. However, two days later, Ephron declared an attack had occurred and claimed to have discovered two empty bullet casings at the location. There are currently no forensic links connecting Rocky to the shooting, and no weapon was ever found.

Testimony from Rocky’s tour manager indicates that he disposed of the prop gun in question, causing prosecutors to ponder if it was merely an illusion. The footage of the incident shows Rocky handling what appears to be a firearm, but the video evidence of the actual shooting fails to clearly depict him firing the weapon.

The verdict primarily hinged on the trustworthiness of two individuals: Ephron, who identified Rocky as the shooter as the sole eyewitness, and Jamel Phillips, also known as ASAP Twelvyy, who stated that he was with Rocky on the night of the shooting and asserted that the gun was not real.

California

Following the presentation of final statements in the court case against ASAP Rocky, it’s now up to a jury in Los Angeles to determine if he is culpable for assault allegations that potentially carry a sentence of almost 20 years in prison.

Over two days of questioning, Tacopina pressed Ephron, asserting that he had contacted police solely to strengthen a civil lawsuit against Rocky, labeling him both an extortionist and a liar under oath (perjurer). Tacopina exposed several false statements made by Ephron, using video and audio evidence, which led to multiple angry outbursts from the witness.

At one point, Ephron growled at Tacopina, expressing his displeasure, “I have no desire to remain here. I’m not on trial. I’ve been here for five days… handling this man. I wish to depart.”

In a moment of frustration, Ephron told Tacopina, “I don’t want to be stuck here. I’m not in court, but I’ve been here for five days… dealing with this person. I want to leave.

In contrast, the prosecution contended that the testimonies of Phillips and Rocky’s tour manager, Louis Levin (also known as ASAP Lou), were questionable since they both depend financially on the rap artist for their livelihood.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec posed a question: ‘Will you be following Mr. Twelvyy, who has been reliant on the defendant for his income throughout his career, or will you trust your own judgment based on what you see in the video? The events as he described them did not occur.’

In closing arguments, Przelomiec dismissed the prop gun defense as illogical, pointing out why Rocky and his associates wouldn’t keep the weapon as evidence of his innocence, since it seemed implausible that they would opt for a fake gun instead of employing real security. Phillips, who testified during the trial, explained that Rocky started carrying the prop after he was knifed in a nightclub, leading him to use the prop gun as a means of protection.

California

It’s claimed that the unpredictable rap superstar reportedly mishandled Jewish staff members within his clothing brand, and he allegedly made comparisons between himself and Adolf Hitler, as stated in a court case brought forward on Tuesday.

Despite all the anticipation surrounding Rihanna’s possible courtroom appearance, as she attended multiple trial days and was present during closing arguments last week with their children, it was actually two bold attorneys, renowned for their quick tempers, who put on a fiery show.

In this trial, Tacopina (formerly Trump’s civil defamation defense attorney in a New York rape allegation case) and John Lewin (a late addition to the team who achieved a murder conviction against Robert Durst) have been trading sharp words that could escalate into real punches – and even court penalties.

California

This year, A$AP Rocky, more commonly recognized as Rakim Mayers and renowned rapper, is set to lead Rolling Loud festival and take on the role of Met Gala chair, pending the outcome of his trial regarding the 2021 shooting in Hollywood.

Lewin consistently asserts that Tacopina has breached ethical standards and engaged in unprofessional behavior, alleging that the defense team concealed evidence and disregarded court instructions. He also suggested Tacopina provoked him into a physical confrontation at one instance and accused Tacopina of using performance-enhancing substances. In response, Tacopina has countered with accusations of misconduct against Lewin from the Durst case and has sworn at the experienced prosecutor multiple times, shouting insults like “fat” during a recess in the closing arguments last Friday. Rocky was heard laughing loudly during this incident.

Rocky chose not to speak on his own behalf during the trial, mostly remaining calm throughout the proceedings. However, he would light up whenever Rihanna or his children were present in the courtroom. This year, the renowned rapper is planning to launch his first solo album in almost a decade, take the main stage at L.A.’s Rolling Loud music festival, and star in a film directed by Spike Lee.

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2025-02-19 04:32

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