A$AP Rocky Beats His Case That Alleged He Shot His Friend With Gun, Dives And Jumps Into Rihanna’s Arms
A$AP Rocky’s moment of triumph came with a leap. As the not guilty verdict was read in his felony assault trial, the Hip-Hop star dove over a courtroom barrier into the waiting arms of his partner, superstar billionaire Rihanna, with whom he shares two children. The moment was pure joy. It was th end of a dramatic three-week trial.
The Los Angeles courtroom erupted into applause and screams as Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, jumped from the defense table and into the gallery where Rihanna sat between his mother and sister. The two embraced and tears flowed.
The jury deliberated for only three hours before acquitting the rapper of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stemmed from a November 2021 incident in which Rocky was accused of firing a gun at former friend A$AP Relli during a confrontation in Hollywood.
Relli and Rocky had been part of a Harlem, NY, Hip-Hop collective, formed in 2006. It consisted of Hip-Hop artists (most of whom carried the “ASAP” moniker; except Chynna and Playboi Carti).
In August 2012, the collective released the mixtape “Lords Never Worry.” They released the single “Trillmatic” in December 2013, followed by their debut studio album, “Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends,” in October 2016 and second studio album, “Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy,” in August 2017.
If Rocky had been convicted, he faced up to 24 years in prison.
“Thank y’all for saving my life,” Rocky told the jury.
Rihanna, who attended the trial intermittently, brought their two young sons—RZA and Riot—during the final arguments. The Fenty business mogul was visibly emotional and hugging defense attorneys. After the verdict, she took to Instagram to express her gratitude, writing, “THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE! THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY!”
Earlier in the trial, Rocky had rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a six-month jail sentence. Instead, he opted to go to trial, insisting on his innocence and maintaining that the gun involved was a prop weapon, a key defense in the case. He also opted out of testifying.
As the couple exited the courthouse, surrounded by a crush of photographers and fans, Rocky said: “This whole experience has been crazy for the past 4 years. I’m thankful and it’s blessed to be here right now to be a free man talking to y’all.”
