A$AP Rocky Acquitted of Assault Charges in Hollywood Shooting

Rapper ASAP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, has been acquitted of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in a high-profile trial stemming from a 2021 shooting incident involving former friend Terrell Ephron, also known as ASAP Relli. The jury reached their not guilty verdict after just one day of deliberation, despite the prosecution's assertion that Rocky fired a gun during a heated confrontation, a claim the defense countered by arguing the weapon was a prop from a music video. Rocky's attorney, Joe Tacopina, expressed confidence in the verdict throughout the trial, highlighting the significant reasonable doubt present in the case. After the verdict, Rocky thanked the jury, declaring, “Thank y’all for saving my life.” Although the criminal case has concluded, Rocky and his legal team are preparing for a civil defamation lawsuit filed by Ephron, with no trial date yet assigned. The outcome marks a significant relief for Rocky, who faced possible prison time if found guilty.