Rapper A$AP Rocky has been discovered not responsible of firing a gun at a former pal.
A jury in Los Angeles acquitted the musician, whose authorized identify is Rakim Mayers, on two felony assault expenses that carried as much as 24 years in jail.
Terell Ephron claimed the Grammy-nominated hip-hop star opened fireplace at him throughout an argument on a Hollywood avenue on 6 November 2021, grazing his knuckles with one of many pictures.
Mr Mayers, who can be a trend mogul and the longtime companion of pop star Rihanna, denied the fees, arguing that the weapon was a prop gun and that his former pal, who calls himself A$AP Relli, was solely after cash.
As the primary not-guilty verdict was learn on Tuesday, the court docket rang with screams and clapping. Mr Mayers rushed to hug his household, who had been seated behind him.
He hugged his legal professionals and appeared to have tears in his eyes because the second not-guilty verdict was learn.
“Thank God for saving my life,” Mr Mayers mentioned aloud. He thanked members of the 12-person jury.
The rapper was arrested on the 2 felony assault expenses after a heated argument together with his former pal within the coronary heart of Hollywood.
Mr Mayers and Mr Ephron have recognized one another since highschool in New York and had been a part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective.
Their relationship eroded over time as A$AP Rocky’s profession took off.
Authorities mentioned Mr Ephron met Mr Mayers on 6 November 2021, a day after the pair had a disagreement.
They met outdoors a resort a few block from the long-lasting pavement stars of the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.
A heated argument ensued.
Mr Mayers was alleged to have whipped out a gun from his waistband and pointed it at Mr Ephron, telling him: “I am going to kill you proper now.”
“He appeared me in my eyes and pointed the gun at me,” Mr Ephron testified.
Mr Ephron mentioned he advised the rapper to fireside the weapon, however Mr Mayers began strolling away.
As he left, Mr Ephron adopted, shouting.
Prosecutors alleged that at this level, Mr Mayers as soon as once more pulled out the gun and fired a number of pictures, with one bullet mentioned to have grazed Mr Ephron’s knuckles.
A lot of the trial hinged on whether or not the firearm in query was a innocent prop gun, as Mr Mayers’s defence mentioned, or an actual weapon able to inflicting hurt, as Mr Ephron and prosecutors alleged.
The weapon has not been recovered by authorities.