A$AP Rocky Runs Into Rihanna’s Arms After Jury Returns Not Guilty Verdict In Shooting Felony Trial
A$AP Rocky was found not guilty on all counts by a Los Angeles jury, ending an exhaustive three-week trial that accused the Harlem-bred rapper (real name Rakim Mayers) of firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron).
When the verdict was announced in a Downtown Los Angeles courthouse on Tuesday, Rocky, his defence team, and the room erupted in joy and cheers. Rocky jumped over the stand to hug Rihanna, his mother, Renee Black, and his sister Erika Mayers.
A$AP Rocky celebrates in the courtroom after jury finds him NOT GUILTY on all charges 🙏 https://t.co/IlOSttJve5 pic.twitter.com/Mw9dTKScgl
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) February 19, 2025
Rocky was facing two felony assault charges stemming from a shooting incident that occurred outside of the W Hotel in Hollywood. On Nov. 6, 2021, Rocky and Ephron had a confrontation on Hollywood Boulevard where Rocky allegedly aimed a gun at Ephron’s head and stomach. Ephron said his hand was grazed by one of the bullets Rocky allegedly shot.
Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, referred to Ephron’s injuries as “knuckle scrapes,” arguing that his client used a prop gun that day to break up a scuffle between Ephron and Rocky’s entourage.
“There’s no bullet in the world that could’ve done that,” Tacopina said, showing jurors a picture of Ephron’s bloodied knuckles. A$AP Twelvyy (real name Jamel Phillips), a friend who was with Rocky that night, testified that Rocky fired the shots as a means to stop Ephron from going after another member of their crew, A$AP Illz (real name Illijah Ulanger). Still, Rocky was adamant he never fired any live bullets.
When police returned to the scene to collect evidence, they found nothing on-site. Ephron also returned to the scene and allegedly found two 9mm shell casings.
Ephron’s testimonial included his admission that he was at a Los Angeles gun range, firing a semi-automatic pistol, just two weeks before the November incident. This proved to be a critical point in the trial as Rocky’s defense was largely built on Tacopina’s argument that Ephron “planted” the two 9mm shell casings that he claims he found.
Rocky alleged Ephron made up the shooting story to extort him, citing Ephron’s $30 million civil lawsuit against him.
Prosecutor John Lewin and Tacopina got into an indirect shouting match at one point in the trial, but without the jury in the room. Tacopina accused Lewin of behaving unethically, and accused the prosecution of perjury on Ephron’s behalf. Lewin, meanwhile, vehemently objected these claims, which caused Judge Mark Arnold to point to Lewin and say, “Lower your voice and don’t yell at me.”
Source: Variety
