Juror reveals A$AP Rocky’s not guilty verdict was due to lack of evidence

A juror believes A$AP Rocky may have committed a crime, but insufficient evidence led to a not-guilty verdict.

A$AP Rocky avoided a guilty verdict this week, but a juror expressed doubts about his innocence despite the not-guilty decision.

In an interview with freelance journalist Nique Laclaire, the juror revealed that while some members of the 12-person jury, consisting of seven women and five men, suspected the alleged prop gun used in the 2021 Hollywood incident was actually a real firearm, they ultimately didn’t have enough evidence to convict Rocky.

The rapper was accused of shooting at A$AP Relli with a semiautomatic weapon, but his attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued the gun was a starter pistol used for show. The juror shared that while Relli’s testimony seemed credible, it was undermined by inconsistencies and lies, which influenced the jury’s decision.

Despite the high-profile presence of Rihanna and their children during the trial, the juror emphasized that these factors didn’t sway the jury’s impartiality. The final decision was made after careful deliberation, adhering strictly to the court’s instructions.

Tacopina commented on the outcome, stating that the lack of evidence and reasonable doubt played a key role in the verdict. He mentioned that the jury’s initial vote was overwhelmingly in Rocky’s favor, with 10 jurors opting for a not-guilty verdict right away. After a brief deliberation, the verdict was reached.

Following the verdict, Rocky shared an emotional embrace with Rihanna, relieved that the charges, which could have led to up to 24 years in prison, were dropped.