A$AP Rocky not guilty of firearm assault on LA street

Los Angeles, California – Rapper A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty after being accused of shooting a former friend. A Los Angeles jury acquitted the musician, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, of two felony assault charges that carried a potential sentence of up to 24 years in prison. This verdict brings an end to a legal battle that has captivated the public.

The plaintiff, Terell Ephron, claimed that the Grammy-nominated hip-hop star shot at him during an argument on the streets of Hollywood on November 6, 2021, with one of the bullets grazing his knuckles. Mr. Mayers, who is also a fashion mogul and the longtime partner of pop star Rihanna, denied the allegations, arguing that the weapon involved was a prop gun and that his former friend (who goes by A$AP Relli) was simply after money. The defense maintained that the incident was fabricated for financial gain.

Screams and applause erupted in the courtroom on Tuesday when the first not-guilty verdict was read. Mr. Mayers rushed to his family and partner Rihanna, who were seated behind him, and embraced them over a wooden barrier. He hugged his lawyer and appeared tearful as the second not-guilty verdict was read. Mr. Mayers exclaimed, "Thank God for saving my life." He also thanked the 12-member jury for their service and dedication.

It is understood that Mr. Mayers and Mr. Ephron have known each other since high school in New York and were both members of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. Their relationship gradually deteriorated as A$AP Rocky's career took off. Authorities stated that Mr. Ephron met with Mr. Mayers on November 6, 2021, following a previous dispute between the two. They met outside a hotel about a block from the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, which led to a heated argument.

The prosecution accused Mr. Mayers of pulling a gun from his waistband, pointing it at Mr. Ephron, and telling him, "I'll kill you right now." Mr. Ephron testified, "He looked me in my eyes and pointed the gun at me." Mr. Ephron said he dared the rapper to shoot, but Mr. Mayers began to walk away. As he left, Mr. Ephron followed and shouted. Prosecutors claimed that at this point, Mr. Mayers again pulled out the gun and fired multiple shots, one of which allegedly grazed Mr. Ephron's knuckles.

Much of the trial hinged on whether the gun involved was a harmless prop gun (as Mr. Mayers' defense argued) or a real gun capable of causing harm (as Mr. Ephron and the prosecution claimed). Authorities have not recovered the weapon. Jurors were able to watch footage of part of the confrontation, as portions were captured by surveillance video, including audio of gunshots, but there was no video evidence directly showing any shooting. Mr. Ephron only reported the incident to authorities two days later, bringing with him shell casings he claimed to have picked up from the scene. However, police who arrived in the area to investigate the reported shooting did not find any shell casings.

Mr. Ephron said that he and his girlfriend returned to the scene hours later and that he knew exactly where to find the shell casings, but no surveillance footage corroborated his claim. He also did not seek treatment in Los Angeles, instead waiting until he flew back to New York. Mr. Mayers' lawyers suggested that Mr. Ephron planted the shell casings in an effort to frame the rapper. The trial was filled with emotional moments and heated exchanges, particularly when Mr. Ephron, the trial's star witness, took the stand. At one point, Mr. Ephron called Mr. Mayers' defense attorney, Mr. Tacopina, "annoying," which led to a rebuke from the judge.

Another witness, A$AP Twelvyy, was asked by prosecutors about a photo showing the letters "AWGE" imprinted on Mr. Mayers' bed. When asked what it represented, Mr. Mayers unexpectedly interrupted the proceedings and shouted, "Don't say it!" Twelvyy ultimately refused to elaborate. Outbursts from defendants during trials are not common, especially in front of a jury. However, it is almost unheard of in court for a criminal suspect to interject in a trial and instruct a witness not to answer a prosecutor's questions during cross-examination.