A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty On All Charges In Assault Case

By Alice Redpill

“Thank y’all for saving my life,” A$AP to the Jury.

In a dramatic turn of events, A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of two counts of assault related to a Hollywood shooting in 2021. The long-anticipated verdict erupted amid a month-long trial filled with captivating courtroom antics, including surprise visits from his superstar partner, Rihanna.

As the court clerk announced “not guilty,” the atmosphere electrified. Rocky couldn’t contain his joy, vaulting over the courtroom divider to embrace Rihanna while a wave of cheers erupted from supporters. “Thank y’all for saving my life,” he expressed fervently to the jury, enough to stir the emotions of those present.

The courtroom buzzed with excitement, crammed with reporters and anxious onlookers. Even Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman was in attendance but remained tight-lipped after the verdict.

The rapper, known officially as Rakim Mayers, faced allegations of shooting his former friend and ASAP Mob member Terrell Ephron, a.k.a. A$AP Relli, after a heated altercation near The W Hotel in Hollywood back in November 2021. The two were once inseparable, co-founding the ASAP collective that launched Rocky’s illustrious career. However, a misunderstanding over a broken promise to cover another member’s funeral expenses sparked a rift that culminated in violence.

Defense attorney Joe Tacopina stepped up to assert A$AP Rocky’s innocence, claiming self-defense as Ephron instigated the street fight. Though A$AP Rocky was indeed filmed brandishing a weapon, Tacopina argued it was merely a “prop gun” from a music video shoot with Rihanna, questioning its authenticity throughout the trial.

With the potential threat of a 20-year prison sentence looming, given prosecutors had filed an enhancement for gun usage in the crime, A$AP Rocky’s fate hung in the balance. “This is one of the happiest days of my life,” Tacopina said, exuding relief and gratitude as they exited the courthouse.

Initially, the evidence seemed thin. On that fateful night, when LAPD responded to 911 calls, they found no shell casings or any indication of a shooting. It wasn’t until two days later that Ephron reported the incident he claimed to have witnessed. The credibility of his account came into sharp focus during the trial, especially as he struggled under Tacopina’s intense cross-examination.

The focal point of the case narrowed down to two key figures: Ephron, a lone eyeball witness, and Jamel Phillips, a.k.a. ASAP Twelvyy, who was with Rocky that night. Tacopina expertly poked holes in Ephron’s narrative, casting doubt on his motivations while Ephron grew increasingly frustrated, stating at one point, “I do not wanna stay here…I am here for 5 days … dealing with this man. I wanna go.”

Prosecutors argued that both Phillips and A$AP Rocky’s tour manager couldn’t be trusted due to their reliance on the rapper for their livelihoods. Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec posed a critical challenge, urging jurors to rely on their own perceptions rather than witness testimonies that might be biased.

As the courtroom drama unfolded, A$AP Rocky’s prop gun defense came under scrutiny, with prosecutorial questions about why a high-profile artist would carry a fake weapon instead of hiring absolute security. Phillips claimed that A$AP Rocky carried the prop after an earlier knife attack, but the jury was left weighing credibility against a backdrop of glitzy celebrity presence.

Beyond the potential spectacle of Rihanna’s presence, the true fireworks emanated from two fiery legal minds. Tacopina, known for his bold defense of high-profile clients, and veteran prosecutor Lewin, whose courtroom success stories include murder cases, gave spectators a courtroom clash worthy of a film script.

In the end, the jury’s decision echoed through the courtroom, a powerful reminder of the complex entanglements of fame, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of justice.