Rapper A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of charges related to firing a weapon at a former associate. A jury in Los Angeles found Rakim Mayers, the musician’s legal name, not guilty on two felony assault counts that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 24 years.
Terell Ephron alleged that the Grammy-nominated artist discharged a firearm during a dispute on a Hollywood street on November 6, 2021, with one bullet reportedly grazing his knuckles. Mr. Mayers, who is also recognized as a fashion entrepreneur and the long-term partner of pop icon Rihanna, refuted the allegations, asserting that the firearm in question was a prop and that his former friend, known as A$AP Relli, was motivated by financial gain.
As the first not-guilty verdict was announced on Tuesday, the courtroom erupted with cheers and applause. Mr. Mayers quickly made his way to his family and Rihanna, who were seated behind him, leaping over a wooden barrier to embrace them. Throughout the trial, Rihanna had been a constant presence, and for the verdict, she brought their two sons, RZA, aged two, and one-year-old Riot. Mr. Mayers also shared a heartfelt hug with his legal team, visibly emotional as the second not-guilty verdict was delivered. “Thank God for saving my life,” he expressed loudly, extending his gratitude to the 12-person jury.
The rapper was taken into custody on two felony assault charges following a heated dispute with his former friend in central Hollywood. Mr. Mayers and Mr. Ephron have been acquainted since their high school days in New York and were members of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective. Their friendship deteriorated as A$AP Rocky’s career began to flourish. According to authorities, Mr. Ephron encountered Mr. Mayers on November 6, 2021, just one day after their disagreement, outside a hotel located about a block from the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mr. Mayers was reported to have drawn a firearm from his waistband and aimed it at Mr. Ephron, threatening, “I’ll kill you right now.” Mr. Ephron recounted, “He looked me in the eyes and aimed the gun at me.” He stated that he challenged the rapper to pull the trigger, but Mr. Mayers began to walk away. As Mr. Mayers departed, Mr. Ephron pursued him, shouting. Prosecutors claimed that at this moment, Mr. Mayers brandished the gun again and discharged several rounds, with one bullet allegedly grazing Mr. Ephron’s knuckles.
The trial largely revolved around the question of whether the firearm was merely a prop, as asserted by Mr. Mayers’s defense, or a genuine weapon capable of inflicting injury, as claimed by Mr. Ephron and the prosecution. Authorities have not recovered the weapon.
Jurors were able to view portions of the incident since some parts were recorded on surveillance video, including the sound of gunfire, yet there was no footage that directly depicted the shooting. Mr. Ephron waited two days before informing the authorities about the incident and brought shell casings that he claimed to have collected from the scene. However, law enforcement who responded to reports of a shooting in the vicinity could not find any shell casings. Mr. Ephron stated that he returned with his girlfriend hours later and claimed he knew exactly where to search, but no surveillance footage supports his version of events. He did not seek medical attention in Los Angeles and instead opted for treatment after returning to New York.
Mr. Mayers’s attorneys suggested that Mr. Ephron may have planted the shell casings to incriminate the rapper. The trial featured heated and emotional exchanges, particularly when Mr. Ephron, the main witness, testified. At one point, he referred to Mr. Tacopina, Mr. Mayers’s defense lawyer, as “annoying,” which earned him a reprimand from the judge. Another witness, A$AP Twelvyy, was questioned by prosecutors about a photograph depicting Mr. Mayers’s bed adorned with the letters “AWGE.” When asked what those letters stood for, Mr. Mayers unexpectedly interrupted and shouted, “Don’t say!” Ultimately, Twelvyy declined to provide further details.
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Instances of defendants interjecting during trials are rare, especially in front of a jury. Nevertheless, it is particularly unusual for a criminal defendant on trial to interrupt and instruct a witness not to respond to a prosecutor’s question during cross-examination.
