Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist ASAP Rocky was found not guilty on Tuesday of shooting his former collaborator, Terell Ephron, known as ASAP Relli. The jury reached its verdict after nearly three hours of deliberation in a case that threatened to derail the rapper’s career.
Rocky, 36, born Rakim Mayers, had faced two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a 2021 altercation near a Hollywood hotel.
Following the verdict, he embraced his family, including his partner, Rihanna, and his lawyer, Joe Tacopina. Addressing the jurors, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”
Key Dispute Over Alleged Firearm
The trial centered on whether the gun used in the incident was a real semiautomatic weapon, as the prosecution claimed, or a prop gun, as the defense argued.
No firearm was ever recovered, and Rocky did not testify in his defense. If convicted, he could have faced up to 24 years in prison.
Prosecutors contended that Rocky fired a real gun at Relli, grazing his right hand, and presented surveillance footage showing the rapper holding a firearm.
Relli testified that he had met with Rocky and two other members of the ASAP Mob—ASAP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips) and ASAP Illz (Illijah Ulanger)—on the night of 6 November 2021, to settle a dispute. He claimed the confrontation escalated when Rocky pulled a gun from his waistband and fired.
However, the defense countered that Rocky had used a prop gun that fired blanks, which he had started carrying on the advice of a security consultant.
Witnesses, including Twelvyy, testified that Relli was aware the weapon was fake and had exaggerated the incident in an attempt to extort Rocky.
Defense attorney Tacopina also suggested that Relli’s injuries were minor “knuckle scrapes” that could have resulted from a fall or a fight.
Tense Testimonies and Heated Exchanges
Relli’s testimony spanned several days, including a tense cross-examination by Tacopina. At one point, Relli expressed frustration over being questioned about his Instagram activity and receiving death threats.
Judge Mark Arnold had to intervene, advising Relli to “take it easy” and drink some water after he lashed out, saying, “I’m not on trial. I’ve been here for five days, dealing with this man. I’ve been looking stupid for five days.”
Los Angeles police sergeant Thomas Zizzo, one of the first officers on the scene, testified that authorities struggled to determine whether a crime had occurred.
Police did not find a firearm or shell casings at the scene, though Relli claimed he later returned and discovered two 9mm casings himself. Legal experts suggested the absence of physical evidence was a major advantage for the defense.
Impact on Rocky’s Career
Rocky’s acquittal comes at a crucial time in his career, with several major projects on the horizon. He is set to headline the Los Angeles edition of the Rolling Loud festival in March and has been named a celebrity chair for the Met Gala in May. Additionally, he stars alongside Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee-directed film slated for release this summer.
Meanwhile, Relli had also filed a civil lawsuit against Rocky for damages related to the alleged shooting, as well as a defamation suit against both Rocky and Tacopina. However, the not guilty verdict could undermine these legal actions.
“He sued us and after today, I don’t think that’s going so well,” Tacopina remarked.
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