Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist ASAP Rocky has been cleared of all charges in a case that had the potential to derail his career. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was found not guilty on Tuesday of shooting his former collaborator, Terell Ephron, known professionally as ASAP Relli. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching a verdict.
The trial stemmed from an incident near a Hollywood hotel in 2021, where ASAP Rocky was accused of firing a gun at Ephron, a one-time friend and collaborator. He faced two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, which could have resulted in up to 24 years in prison if he had been convicted on both charges.
A key element of the case was the gun itself. Prosecutors argued that the weapon used was a semiautomatic firearm, while the defense maintained that it was a prop gun, acquired during the filming of a music video. No actual gun was presented as evidence during the trial, and ASAP Rocky chose not to testify in his defense.
After the verdict was delivered, the rapper, visibly relieved, rushed into the gallery to embrace his family. He shared an emotional moment with his partner, Rihanna, who was present at the courthouse. The couple, parents to two young sons, had been by each other’s side throughout the legal battle. Rocky also hugged his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, in celebration of the win.
