A$AP Rocky acquitted on all charges at gun assault trial

Grammy-nominated rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of two counts of assault after a month-long trial centered around a shooting incident in Hollywood.

The trial, which concluded in February 2025, was marked by allegations of courtroom misconduct, high-profile appearances from the defendant’s partner Rihanna, and dramatic exchanges between attorneys.

The charges stemmed from a November 2021 altercation with A$AP Rocky's former friend and fellow ASAP Mob member, Terrell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli.

The verdict, announced in front of a packed courtroom, was met with applause as Rihanna and supporters of Rocky cheered. In an emotional moment, A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, jumped over the divider to embrace Rihanna.

"Thank y'all for saving my life," Rocky said to the jury as they left the courtroom. "You're making the right decision." Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman was also present during the proceedings.

A$AP Rocky had been accused of shooting Ephron in the hand after a confrontation near The W Hotel in Hollywood. The dispute was reportedly fueled by a misunderstanding regarding a promised financial contribution for a fellow member’s funeral, which led to escalating tensions between the long-time friends.

However, the defense team, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, argued that Rocky was acting in self-defense after Ephron attacked him during the altercation.

The rapper's defense maintained that he was carrying a prop gun, used for a music video shoot with Rihanna, and that it was not capable of firing real bullets. This claim was central to the case, as Rocky would have faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted of assault with a firearm.

Tacopina claimed the weapon was a "prop gun" taken from the set of a music video, which Rocky had filmed with Rihanna.

The case was complicated by several factors, including the absence of direct forensic evidence. While Los Angeles police officers found no shooting evidence on the night of the incident, Ephron later claimed to have found shell casings at the scene.

However, no weapon was ever recovered, and the lack of forensic evidence made the prosecution’s case more challenging.

At the trial’s conclusion, Tacopina expressed relief. "This is one of the happiest days of my life," he said outside the courthouse. "We just have to leave, but bottom line is, we're grateful for the jury."

However, prosecutors continued to maintain their belief in the importance of seeking justice for all, regardless of their fame. "While today’s verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury’s decision," said Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec. "Fame does not place anyone above the law."

Key testimonies in the case revolved around the credibility of Ephron, who was the sole eyewitness identifying Rocky as the shooter, and Jamel Phillips (A$AP Twelvyy), a member of the ASAP Mob who was with Rocky that night and testified that the gun was a prop.

Ephron, during his testimony, was cross-examined aggressively by Tacopina, who accused him of lying for financial gain, as Ephron had also filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky.

As the case progressed, the defense team argued that the prosecution’s case was weak, particularly with the absence of any forensic evidence or clear proof that the weapon used was real.

At one point, prosecutors attempted to introduce a plea deal, offering a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, but Rocky rejected it. The defense’s narrative focused on the lack of a weapon and the possibility that the shooting never occurred as described by Ephron.

Throughout the trial, the media’s attention was drawn to the frequent appearances of Rihanna in the courtroom, as she supported her partner. The trial itself also witnessed frequent clashes between Tacopina and prosecutor John Lewin, who traded accusations of misconduct throughout the proceedings. Despite the courtroom tensions, the trial ultimately concluded with the jury's not-guilty verdict.

In an unexpected turn, Rocky’s team had initially thought the case would hinge on the alleged misconduct of the attorneys involved. The courtroom drama between Tacopina and Lewin included accusations of violations and personal insults.

The judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold, struggled to contain the fiery exchanges. "I don’t think a jury wants to see a lawyer out of control," Tacopina remarked after the verdict, citing Lewin’s fiery objections during the trial.

Rocky did not testify in his own defense during the trial. However, his composure and the presence of his family, including Rihanna and their children, seemed to give him emotional support as he faced the intense scrutiny of the legal proceedings.