Rapper ASAP Rocky has been acquitted of two felony counts of assault with a firearm in connection with an altercation in Los Angeles in 2021. The jury found him not guilty after deliberating for nearly three hours.
Rocky, 36, was accused of shooting his former collaborator Terell Ephron, known as ASAP Relli, near a Hollywood hotel. However, the defense argued that a prop gun used by Rocky was mistaken for an actual firearm, and that Relli had exaggerated events to extort him.
The trial featured several key witnesses, including Rihanna, who testified about her presence during the altercation, and Thomas Zizzo, a Los Angeles police sergeant who struggled to determine whether a crime had taken place. The prosecution presented surveillance video showing Rocky holding a gun before the shooting, but the defense claimed it was a prop gun used for filming.
Rocky did not take the stand in his defense, but he thanked jurors in court after the verdict, saying “Thank y’all for saving my life.” He faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted of both counts. The acquittal means that Rocky’s career is likely to be spared, as he has several high-profile projects scheduled for release, including a movie starring Denzel Washington.
The case had significant cultural implications, with many fans and colleagues rallying around Rocky. Rihanna was present throughout the trial, but her appearances were largely ignored by jurors. The verdict is seen as a victory for Rocky and his team, who argued that he was acting in self-defense.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/arts/music/asap-rocky-not-guilty-assault-trial.html