American Rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty in a case of the shooting of his former friend Terell Ephron.
The musician, whose real name is Rakim Mayers was accused of shooting Terell, also known as A$AP Relli, following an altercation in Hollywood, in November 2021. If found guilty, Rocky would have served 24 years in prison.
A$AP Rocky expresses relief
In his defense, Rocky denied firing at his friend and scraping his knuckles stating that his gun was a prop gun he had taken from a music video set.
Accompanied by his partner and pop star Rihanna, Rocky leaped for joy and embraced her, after his first not-guilty verdict was read. Rihanna frequently accompanied Rocky to court.
He also thanked the jury for saving his life, adding that they had made the right decision.
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Rocky addressed his fans and supporters outside the courtroom expressing his relief.
“This whole experience has been crazy for the past four years. I am thankful and blessed to be here as a free man,” stated the rapper.
A$AP Rocky’s legal team argued that Relli’s allegations were marred with inconsistencies. Rocky also rejected a plea deal that would have seen him spend six months in jail.
What next after acquittal
The jury arrived at the decision in three hours after three intense weeks in court. The jury rejected the prosecution case, saving the rapper the jail term.
The friends now turned foes co-founded the A$AP rap collective which paved the way for Rocky’s music career to stardom.
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Having been acquitted of the charges, the rapper looks at a packed schedule in 2025. He is set to release his first solo album in almost a decade and is also set to co-headline Los Angeles’ Rolling Loud festival in March 2025.
In May 2025, he is set to co-chair the 2025 Met Gala. Rocky is also set to feature in an upcoming film ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ by Spike Lee, alongside renowned actor Denzel Washington.
Rihanna and A$AP have been friends for a long time and began dating in 2021. The couple has two sons together.
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