A$AP Rocky dives into Rihanna’s arms as not guilty verdict is read at felony assault trial

A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty in Assault Case

LOS ANGELES – rapper A$AP Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Mayers, was found not guilty Tuesday of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The verdict came after a three-week trial and three hours of deliberation by the jury.

“Thank y’all for saving my life,” Rocky told the jurors as they left the courtroom.

The case stemmed from an alleged altercation in Hollywood on November 6, 2021, involving Rocky and a former friend, A$AP Relli. Prosecutors alleged that Rocky fired shots at Relli, grazing his knuckle, during the dispute.However, Rocky’s defense team maintained his innocence, arguing that he fired a prop gun as a warning after Relli attacked a member of their crew.

Rocky Declines Plea Deal

On the eve of the trial, Rocky was offered a plea deal that would have resulted in six months in jail, probation, and other conditions if he pleaded guilty to one count. Rocky, though, maintained his innocence and opted to go to trial, a gamble that ultimately paid off.

Rihanna’s Presence

Throughout the trial, Rocky’s partner, singer rihanna, provided unwavering support, occasionally attending court proceedings and even bringing their two young sons to hear closing arguments.

“Rocky did not want her here, I will tell you that,” Rocky’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, said outside the courthouse after the verdict. “He wanted to shield her from this. Wild horses couldn’t keep her away.”

Impact on Rocky’s Career

The verdict comes at a meaningful time for Rocky’s career, as he is set to headline the Rolling Loud music festival in March, serve as a co-chair of the Met Gala in May, and star alongside denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s upcoming film, “Highest 2 Lowest.”

jurors Consider Self-Defense

The jury was instructed that if they found that Rocky reasonably believed he or one of his friends was in imminent danger of injury and that he used reasonable force, they could find him not guilty. The specific reasoning behind their verdict was not disclosed.

Prosecutor’s Closing Argument

In his closing argument, Deputy District Attorney John Lewin urged the jurors to focus solely on the facts of the case and to disregard any influence from the celebrity or family aspects. He suggested that Rihanna’s presence with their children during closing arguments was an attempt to sway the jury.

“You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,” lewin said. “We are all responsible for our own actions in the world.”

This verdict brings a significant closure to a challenging period for Rocky, allowing him to move forward without the looming threat of a lengthy prison sentence.

What was the defence’s strategy in emphasizing the difference between the prop gun used in the music video and the firearm the prosecution believed was involved?

#archyde exclusive: Interview with Defense Lawyer Joe Tacopina Following A$AP Rocky’s Verdict

In light of A$AP Rocky’s recent not-guilty verdict for assault, Archyde managed to secure an interview with Rocky’s defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, to gain some insight into this high-profile trial and the rollercoaster year it has been for Rakim Mayers and his team. Joe kindly takes us behind the scenes.

Joe Tacopina: Delivering justice as A$AP Rocky finds Not Guilty verdict

• A$AP Rocky maintained his innocence. Was a mistrial considered on your radar?

Tacopina | From day one,A$AP Rocky maintained his innocence,and defense,"That made trying this case somewhat straightforward: argue our narrative supported by witnesses."








"Lacking confidence" must’ve been nerve-racking to deal with?









tacopina | Well,you put our fate into stranger's hands but also remind those hands there isn't perfect precision,yet Rocky stayed adamant and had tremendous courage." It wasn’t simple but being 'true north 'to my principle gave our direction.





 Three weeks flew before deliberations for the judge.


  How nerve-racking were deliberation moments and closing arguments with everyone waiting outside in the choking heat, emotions boiling to max?


     

Tacopina, ''Defensively preparing can’t entirely predict reactions," explaining. However, my anxiety? Yes! All hands stayed put for something good or unpleasant... Then ting! notches, no surprises anymore

- Rocky shot him or aimed 'at, toward him... ?

Tacopina*; That weapon may've aimed yet wasn’t intending harm- Prop Guns prop for music aren’t the firearms Prosecution believed,this we showed was essential,jury must’ve saw intent's contrast."

“php?

The lawyer expressed gratification but isn’t sure precisely why; maybe because their kids heard and maybe for some relief.

/endOfDivision/

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