A$AP Rocky dove into the arms of Rihanna as a jury read out the not guilty verdict in his trial on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The Los Angeles courtroom erupted in cheers and screams as Rocky leapt from the defense table to join Rihanna, who was seated between his mother and sister.
The three-week trial ended with a 3-hour deliberation by the jury, resulting in a verdict that spared Rocky a potential prison sentence of over two decades. According to prosecutors, Rocky had an altercation with a former friend, A$AP Relli, on November 6, 2021, which led to one of the shots fired being a graze on Relli’s knuckle.
However, Rocky’s defense team argued that the shooting was in self-defense after Relli attacked another member of their crew. They presented evidence that Rocky had been carrying a prop gun since taking it from a music video set months earlier and only fired it as a warning.
Rihanna attended the trial sporadically and brought the couple’s two sons for some of the closing arguments. The District Attorney has stated that fame does not place anyone above the law, and he remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law.
In a statement, Rocky thanked the jurors for saving his life, while his defense lawyer Joe Tacopina credited the verdict with demonstrating that “they saw through this mirage of a case.” The verdict marks a major victory for Rocky, who can now focus on upcoming projects without the threat of prison hanging over him.
Source: https://andscape.com/features/aap-rocky-dives-into-rihannas-arms-as-not-guilty-verdict-is-read-at-felony-assault-trial