Rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty of firing a gun at a former friend.
A jury in Los Angeles acquitted the musician, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, on two felony assault charges that carried up to 24 years in prison.
Terell Ephron claimed the Grammy-nominated hip-hop star opened fire at him during an argument on a Hollywood street on 6 November 2021, grazing his knuckles with one of the shots.
Mr Mayers, who is also a fashion mogul and the longtime partner of pop star Rihanna, denied the charges, arguing that the weapon was a prop gun and that his former friend, who calls himself A$AP Relli, was only after money. As the first not-guilty verdict was read on Tuesday, the court rang with screams and clapping. Mr Mayers rushed towards his family and Rihanna, who were seated behind him. He dived over a wooden barrier to embrace them.
Rihanna had been a repeated presence in court during the trial, and for Tuesday’s verdict, brought along their two sons, two-year-old RZA and one-year-old Riot. Mr Mayers also hugged his lawyers and appeared to have tears in his eyes as the second not-guilty verdict was read.
“Thank God for saving my life,” Mr Mayers said aloud. He thanked members of the 12-person jury. The rapper was arrested on the two felony assault charges after a heated argument with his former friend in the heart of Hollywood.
Mr Mayers and Mr Ephron have known each other since high school in New York and were part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. Their friendship cooled as A$AP Rocky’s career took off.
Credit: BBC