A$AP Rocky just dodged a bullet—literally and legally. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has been found not guilty in his highly publicized felony gun trial.
And if you thought his trial was just another celebrity legal battle, think again—this case had everything: a courtroom showdown, a high-stakes lawsuit, missing evidence, and even Rihanna bringing their kids to court.
The Verdict That Rocked the Courtroom
On February 18, at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, the verdict was read: Not guilty. A$AP Rocky, who faced a maximum of 24 years in prison, hugged his attorneys as the courtroom erupted in celebration. His longtime partner, Rihanna, was there to witness it all.
The Case That Could Have Ended His Career
The case stemmed from a 2021 altercation between Rocky and his former friend A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron). Relli claimed that Rocky shot at him twice with a semi-automatic firearm, leaving him with injuries to his knuckles. The prosecution argued that this was an act of aggression, while Rocky’s defense team maintained that there was no real gun involved, only a starter gun firing blanks.
With no bullet wounds, missing shell casings, and grainy surveillance footage as the prosecution’s key evidence, the trial quickly became a spectacle. At one point, Relli even accused the defense of using AI-generated voice recordings to discredit him. Yes, AI drama in the courtroom.
Rihanna Stole the Show
Forget legal arguments—Rihanna showing up in court was one of the biggest moments of the trial. The singer and business mogul sat through five days of proceedings, even bringing the couple’s two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, 1. The sight of a chart-topping billionaire mom holding her babies while her partner stood trial? It was a media frenzy.
At one point, as prosecutors wrapped up their closing arguments, baby Riot was heard cooing in the courtroom, breaking the tension. Even in court, Rihanna and her kids know how to make headlines.
Why Did A$AP Rocky Walk Free?
Legal experts say the prosecution’s case had too many holes. Here’s why the jury couldn’t convict:
- No concrete evidence: There were no recovered bullets, no confirmed gun, and no forensic proof that Rocky even fired a real weapon.
- Relli’s lawsuit: He’s suing Rocky for $30 million, which the defense used to argue that his testimony was financially motivated.
- Questionable injury claims: Relli said he had “bloody knuckles” from the alleged shooting, but the defense argued that no bullet in the world could have done that.
It also didn’t help that one of the LAPD’s key witnesses turned out to be the son of a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star. Only in Hollywood.
What’s Next for A$AP Rocky?
Now that he’s free, Rocky is wasting no time getting back to business. Here’s what’s coming up for him:
- Headlining Rolling Loud California in March
- Co-chairing the 2025 Met Gala in May alongside Rihanna
- Releasing his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, later this year
- Starring in Spike Lee’s upcoming film, Highest 2 Lowest, dropping this summer
After months of uncertainty, A$AP Rocky is officially in the clear. While the trial was dramatic, in the end, the prosecution just didn’t have enough to convict him. And with Rihanna by his side, a major music festival coming up, and a new album on the way, it looks like Rocky is ready to leave this chapter behind.
Will A$AP Relli’s $30 million lawsuit go anywhere? Will Rocky address the case in his music? We’ll have to wait and see. But for now, he’s walking free, and his fans couldn’t be happier.
For more details on the verdict, check out Yahoo Entertainment.
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