A$AP Rocky was found not guilty following a nearly four-week trial in Los Angeles.
The verdict was reached on Tuesday after the case was sent to the jury on Friday. They did not deliberate on Monday as it was President’s day.
The court erupted in cheers as the verdict on the first count was read out. The rapper celebrated by jumping up and down while hugging people inside the courtroom before saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”
In 2022, Rocky was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a 2021 fight with his former friend A$AP Relli, who testified that Rocky confronted him outside a Hollywood parking garage and shot him during the confrontation.
Rocky denied the allegations.
During closing arguments on Friday, the defense told the jury that Relli “lied to you about so many crucial things.” The hearing heated up as Rocky’s attorneys and the prosecution exchanged sharp remarks in the courtroom.
Rocky faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted.
The pair were childhood friends.
While on the witness stand, Relli told the jury that his knuckles were grazed by a bullet allegedly fired by Rocky; however, a weapon was never recovered by authorities, which became the focus point during the trial.
Authorities also found no physical evidence of a shooting when they searched the alleged scene either. However, days later, Relli reportedly presented shell casings to the police, which he alleged that he retrieved from the shooting scene.
Rocky’s legal team accused Relli of extortion and argued that the weapon he was holding during the altercation was a “prop gun” that he carried around for security.
Relli’s attorneys slammed the claim, arguing that the weapon was real.
In January, Rocky turned down a plea deal offered by prosecutors that included a 180-day jail term.
“Yes, he was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is actually innocent,” his lawyer, Joe Tacopia, said at the time.
“True Crime News” host Ana Garcia exclusively told The Post that Rocky’s decision was a gamble.
“I think he’s got a strong case – I do believe that,” she said earlier this month. “I’m not so sure how strong the prosecution evidence is. And also, it’s always a gamble. You get a chance to defend yourself. You get a chance to go in front of a jury. You get a chance to let them decide your fate, and sometimes that’s really risky.”
Rihanna, who shares two children with Rocky, appeared in court to support him several times, even sitting with his mother and sister during her first appearance late last month.
