By: Brain Akutei- Azu Mateko
Hip-hop artist ASAP Rocky has been found not guilty of shooting his former friend and collaborator, Terell Ephron, known as ASAP Relli. The jury reached its decision on Tuesday after nearly three hours of deliberation, clearing Rocky of two felony assault charges related to a 2021 incident in Los Angeles.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was visibly emotional after the verdict. He jumped into the courtroom gallery to hug his wife, singer and businesswoman Rihanna, and thanked the jury. “Thank you all for saving my life,” he told them.
The case centered on whether Rocky had used a real gun or a prop firearm during an argument with Relli. Prosecutors claimed Rocky fired a semiautomatic gun, grazing Relli’s hand. However, Rocky’s defense argued that he had only fired blanks from a prop gun that had been used in a music video. No actual weapon was found as evidence in the case.
The incident took place in November 2021 near a Hollywood hotel. Relli testified that he and Rocky had agreed to meet to settle their differences but ended up in an argument. He claimed Rocky pulled out a gun and fired at him. Surveillance footage was presented showing Rocky holding a gun before the shooting. However, witnesses for the defense, including ASAP Twelvyy, stated that Relli knew the gun was fake and that Rocky had only used it to protect another friend, ASAP Illz.
Relli’s testimony was intense, and at one point, the judge had to calm him down in court. He also claimed that he had received death threats over the accusations. The defense dismissed his claims, calling him unreliable and suggesting that he was trying to extort Rocky for financial gain.
With the case now over, Rocky is free to continue his career. He is set to perform at the Rolling Loud festival in March and will be a celebrity chair at the Met Gala in May. He also has a movie coming out, directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington.
Relli had also filed a lawsuit against Rocky for damages and defamation, but the defence believes the not-guilty verdict will weaken his legal claims.
This trial could have ended with Rocky facing up to 24 years in prison, but with the jury ruling in his favour, he can now move forward with his life and career.
