A$AP Rocky Cleared of All Assault Charges

Rapper A$AP Rocky, legally known as Rakim Mayers, was acquitted by a Los Angeles jury on charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm related to a 2021 altercation with former friend A$AP Relli. Rocky faced potential imprisonment of 24 years but was cleared after a brief deliberation period of about three hours. He had rejected a plea deal offering six months in jail, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. The defense argued that Rocky used a prop gun to fire warning shots, which were blanks, while the prosecution alleged he shot Relli, grazing his knuckle. Rihanna, Rocky's partner, supported him during the trial, attending several sessions with their children. The verdict allows Rocky to continue his career without the looming threat of a lengthy prison sentence.