Rapper A$AP Rocky found not guilty in felony trial

Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of charges related to firing a handgun at a former friend in Hollywood over three years ago, avoiding a potential lengthy prison sentence. The 36-year-old musician, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faced two felony counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, which could have resulted in up to 24 years behind bars if he had been found guilty.

After turning down a plea deal of six months in jail offered by the prosecution, Rocky decided to take his chances with a jury trial, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. The verdict, delivered after just three hours of deliberation, came as a relief to Rocky, his longtime partner Rihanna, and their two young children, two-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and one-year-old Riot Rose Mayers.

Rihanna, who attended the trial sporadically, brought their children to some of the closing arguments. The emotional moment of the verdict being read saw Rihanna in tears, embracing Rocky’s defense team. The acquittal comes at a pivotal moment in Rocky’s career, with upcoming appearances at the Rolling Loud music festival, the Met Gala, and a starring role in Spike Lee’s film “Highest 2 Lowest.”

The trial centered around an altercation between Rocky and his former friend A$AP Relli, during which Rocky allegedly fired a gun at Relli. Rocky’s defense team argued that the gun in question was a prop that only fired blanks, used for security purposes. Despite the three-year gap between the incident and the trial, the defense maintained that the use of the prop gun was not disclosed to authorities until the trial began.

The jurors were instructed to consider whether Rocky believed he or his friends were in imminent danger and whether he used reasonable force in his actions. Ultimately, the jurors’ decision to acquit Rocky was not based on whether the gun was real or a prop, but rather on whether Rocky acted in self-defense.

Throughout the trial, Rocky chose not to testify in his defense, leaving his fate in the hands of the jury. Deputy District Attorney John Lewin cautioned the jurors against being swayed by Rocky’s celebrity status or his family situation, emphasizing that everyone is accountable for their actions.

The verdict brings a sense of relief and vindication to Rocky, allowing him to move forward with his career without the looming threat of a prison sentence. The trial may be over, but the impact of the experience on Rocky’s life and career is likely to be felt for years to come.