A$AP Rocky beats felony charges—here’s what went down

A$AP Rocky acquitted of all charges in his felony assault trial after a jury ruled in his favor following three weeks.

Los Angeles — A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) was found not guilty on all counts in his felony assault trial on Tuesday. 

The verdict ends a three-week legal battle over allegations that he fired a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), in a 2021 altercation.

Mayers had faced two felony assault charges tied to an incident outside the W Hotel in Hollywood on November 6, 2021. Ephron accused Mayers of pointing a gun at his head and stomach before allegedly firing a shot that grazed his hand. However, the defense, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, dismissed Ephron’s claims, calling his injuries “knuckle scrapes” and arguing that Mayers had only used a prop gun to break up a fight.

Crucial testimony from A$AP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips) suggested Mayers fired warning shots to deter Ephron from attacking another A$AP Mob member, A$AP Illz (Illijah Ulanger). The defense also challenged the validity of shell casings Ephron claimed to have found at the scene, highlighting his recent visit to a Los Angeles gun range.

Mayers maintained his innocence throughout the trial, rejecting a plea deal that included 180 days in jail. If convicted, he faced up to 24 years in prison.

Throughout the trial, Rihanna, the mother of Mayers’ children, attended proceedings in support of her partner. However, Judge Arnold restricted any mention of her presence in the courtroom during closing arguments.

With the not-guilty verdict, A$AP Rocky avoids prison time and moves forward, while Ephron’s $30 million civil lawsuit remains pending.

Los Angeles — A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) was found not guilty on all counts in his felony assault trial on Tuesday. 

The verdict ends a three-week legal battle over allegations that he fired a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron), in a 2021 altercation.

Mayers had faced two felony assault charges tied to an incident outside the W Hotel in Hollywood on November 6, 2021. Ephron accused Mayers of pointing a gun at his head and stomach before allegedly firing a shot that grazed his hand. However, the defense, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, dismissed Ephron’s claims, calling his injuries “knuckle scrapes” and arguing that Mayers had only used a prop gun to break up a fight.

Crucial testimony from A$AP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips) suggested Mayers fired warning shots to deter Ephron from attacking another A$AP Mob member, A$AP Illz (Illijah Ulanger). The defense also challenged the validity of shell casings Ephron claimed to have found at the scene, highlighting his recent visit to a Los Angeles gun range.

Mayers maintained his innocence throughout the trial, rejecting a plea deal that included 180 days in jail. If convicted, he faced up to 24 years in prison.

Throughout the trial, Rihanna, the mother of Mayers’ children, attended proceedings in support of her partner. However, Judge Arnold restricted any mention of her presence in the courtroom during closing arguments.

With the not-guilty verdict, A$AP Rocky avoids prison time and moves forward, while Ephron’s $30 million civil lawsuit remains pending.