After weeks of courtroom drama, rap star A$AP Rocky walked free on February 18 as a Los Angeles jury delivered a not guilty verdict in his felony gun trial. The 36-year-old rapper, actor, and fashion icon—real name Rakim Mayers—embraced his legal team as the decision was announced at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, while the courtroom erupted in cheers. If convicted, he faced up to 24 years in state prison.
Mayers’ longtime partner, global superstar Rihanna, was present for the emotional moment, just as she had been throughout the trial. Days before, on February 13, she made headlines by attending the closing statements with the couple’s two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot Rose, 1, in tow. The Grammy-winning singer’s unwavering support was evident as she stood by her partner during one of the most challenging moments of his life.
Mayers’ mother, Renee Black, and sister, Erika B, also sat front row, anxiously awaiting the verdict. Defense attorney Joseph Tacopina had remained confident, telling TMZ before the decision that the case “should be a five-minute acquittal.”
The trial, which kicked off on January 24, stemmed from a November 6, 2021 altercation between Mayers and his former high school friend Terell Ephron, a.k.a. A$AP Relli, in Hollywood. Mayers was accused of firing two shots from a semiautomatic firearm, leading to felony assault charges. Ephron, who is also suing Mayers for $30 million, testified that the rapper shot at him, injuring his knuckles. However, the prosecution’s case was shaky—police never recovered shell casings, and surveillance footage was grainy at best.
Mayers’ defense claimed that the firearm was not a real weapon but rather a starter gun that only fired blanks, allegedly used as a prop. His tour manager, Lou Levin, testified that it was a Glock 26 and was later given to the director of Mayers’ “D.M.B.” music video.
One of the trial’s most talked-about moments came when Rihanna and the couple’s children attended closing arguments, with onlookers noting the boys’ adorable presence. RZA and Riot Rose, dressed in suits, could be heard cooing in the courtroom as the case wound down. Mayers was even seen carrying his younger son down the hallway past the jury.
A Contentious Battle Between Old Friends
Tensions between Mayers and Ephron were palpable throughout the trial. The two had once been close as members of the A$AP Mob collective, but their relationship soured in recent years. Ephron’s five-day testimony turned heated when he shouted at Mayers, “You did this to yourself!” Defense attorney Tacopina repeatedly questioned Ephron’s credibility, emphasizing his $30 million lawsuit and suggesting that he was financially motivated. Tacopina downplayed Ephron’s injury, referring to it as “knuckle scrapes” and questioning how a bullet could have caused such wounds.
The prosecution accused Mayers of attempting to coach witnesses in court. At one point, when A$AP Twelvyy (Jamel Phillips) took the stand, he was asked about the meaning behind Mayers’ AWGE creative agency. Before Twelvyy could answer, Mayers himself interrupted from the defense table, shouting, “Don’t say it!”
A$AP Rocky’s Legal Battles: A Pattern?
This wasn’t the first time A$AP Rocky faced legal troubles. At just 16 years old, he was arrested on attempted murdercharges, spending two weeks at New York’s infamous Rikers Island before the charges were reduced. In 2019, he made international headlines when he was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden, following a street altercation. Though found guilty of assault, he had already been released and did not serve additional jail time.
What’s Next for A$AP Rocky?
With his name cleared, A$AP Rocky can now focus on his family, music, and creative ventures. While the legal battle may have tested him, his acquittal marks a new chapter—one where he can move forward without the weight of a 24-year sentence hanging over him. The rapper, known for his resilience and innovation, will undoubtedly use this experience to fuel his next artistic endeavors.
