Rihanna’s beau, rapper A$AP Rocky, was declared not guilty on all counts on Tuesday by jurors in his felony criminal trial in downtown Los Angeles.
The 36-year-old artist, who has been nominated for a Grammy three times, was accused of committing two felony offenses of using a semiautomatic firearm in a shooting incident that occurred in November 2021 in Hollywood, California, involving his former friend, A$AP Relli.
Upon hearing the court’s decision, the singer of the song “Take A Bow” cried uncontrollably. Her partner was facing a potential sentence of up to 24 years in prison if found guilty. He then approached her and embraced her closely.
‘Thanks y´all for saving my life,’ A$AP Rocky told the jury, composed of seven women and five men, as he left the courtroom, according to the AP.
The We Found Love artist took to Instagram Stories Tuesday evening with an uplifting message after the verdict Tuesday.
‘THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE!’ she said. ‘THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY!’
The Take A Bow songstress erupted in tears as the verdict was read, as her partner faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted in the case
Rihanna’s boyfriend, the rapper A$AP Rocky, was acquitted of all charges on Tuesday by a jury in his felony trial held in downtown Los Angeles. The popular couple was photographed on Tuesday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles.
The musical artist, whose full name is Rakim Mayers, was emotional as he embraced his lawyers after the verdict was read.
The jury reached a unanimous decision after deliberating for about three hours following the conclusion of closing arguments in the case last week.
The Harlem, New York-born entertainer, before going into the trial, had declined an offer from prosecutors of a six-month jail sentence and probation.
Under that offer, A$AP Rocky would have had to plead guilty to one count in the case, the AP reported.
A$AP Rocky celebrated the verdict with his partner and legal team in the courtroom and after they left the building.
Prosecutors in the case said that the entertainer shot twice at his former pal A$AP Relli.
A$AP Relli testified in the case that he was unharmed aside form a bullet grazing his knuckle.
A$AP Rocky’s legal team said that the shots the rapper fired were actually blanks from a prop gun he obtained from the set of a music video he was working on, the AP reported.
Rihanna was emotional after the verdict was read in the felony assault trial
A$AP Rocky celebrated the verdict with his legal team in the courtroom
The Harlem, New York-born entertainer, before going into the trial, had declined an offer from prosecutors of a six-month jail sentence and probation
The Harlem, New York-born entertainer, before going into the trial, had declined an offer from prosecutors of a six-month jail sentence and probation
The jury was instructed by the court that under the law, A$AP Rocky could not be found guilty, if they found him to be defending himself in the incident.
The Barbados-born superstar songstress and fashion mogul had drawn attention during her outings to the court to support her boyfriend, who she shares two children with: RZA, two, and Riot Rose, one.
In multiple outings, Rihanna was seated between A$AP Rocky’s mother Renee Black and sister Erika B. Mayers.
The Diamonds artist had brought their young children to the court for closing arguments in the felony case.
The fashion mogul, who founded the company Fenty Beauty, was mentioned multiple times as attorneys conducted jury selection, amid speculation how her larger-than-life presence could sway jurors.
Following the verdict, jurors were led out of the courtroom and didn’t talk to the media as they departed, the AP reported.
It was not immediately clear what specifically compelled them to find him not guilty – be it the presence of the prop gun or his claims of acting in self-defense.
They did not have to agree on their reasoning, or explain it outside of the jury room. They just had to reach the same conclusion.
‘They saw through this mirage of a case,’ Tacopina said. ‘He turned down a plea for almost no jail time because he was innocent.’
In his closing argument, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin urged the jurors not to be influenced by the celebrity or family aspects of the case, and suggested Rihanna bringing the kids to closing arguments was an attempt to manipulate the jury.
The SOS songstress took to Instagram Stories with an uplifting message after the verdict Tuesday
The fashion mogul, who founded the company Fenty Beauty, was mentioned multiple times as attorneys conducted jury selection, amid speculation how her larger-than-life presence could sway jurors
Rihanna arrives at court for the trial of A$AP Rocky, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles
The Barbados-born superstar songstress and fashion mogul had drawn attention during her outings to the court to support her boyfriend, who she shares two children with: RZA, two, and Riot Rose, one
‘You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,’ the prosecutor said. ‘We are all responsible for our own actions in the world.’
After the verdict, Tacopina said outside the courthouse that ‘Rocky did not want her here, I will tell you that.’
He said Rocky ‘wanted to shield her from this. Wild horses couldn´t keep her away.’
Rocky was more than 30 minutes late for the reading of the verdict, and looked shaken and tense as he waited for it.
‘There was a moment when before we heard the words from the clerk, he didn´t know if he was going to be spending the next two decades in jail or going home,’ Tacopina said.
Then came the explosion of the emotion, and the leap into the crowd.
‘I didn´t know how athletic he was,’ Tacopina said. ‘That was raw emotion, you guys got to see that. Even for us it was insane.’
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman’s released a statement on Instagram after A$AP Rocky was cleared in the case.
‘While today’s verdict is not the outcome we sought, we respect the jury’s decision and the integrity of our justice system,’ Hochman said. ‘Our office remains committed to seeking accountability for those who break the law, no matter their status or influence.
‘Fame does not place anyone above the law, and we will not waver in our pursuit of justice for victims and the community. I want to thank Deputy District Attorneys Paul Przelomiec and John Lewin for their dedication and tireless efforts in presenting this case. I also commend the prosecutors and investigators of our Central Division for their hard work and professionalism throughout this process.’
Hochman wrapped up in saying, ‘Our mission remains clear: to uphold the law, protect public safety, and ensure justice for all.’
