Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Celebs
Ilana Frost
On February 18, A$AP Rocky was acquitted of two felony counts of assault. “This whole experience has been crazy for the past four years, but I’m thankful, nonetheless,” the rapper told reporters outside of the Los Angeles courthouse. “Blessed to be here right now, to be a free man talking to y’all.” The three-week trial was a family affair — Rihanna showed up to support her husband several times and brought along their kids, RZA and Riot, during the closing arguments. But what exactly was the “Sundress” rapper accused of? And how has Rihanna responded? Here’s a breakdown of A$AP Rocky’s felony assault trial and Rihanna’s reaction to the ordeal.
In August 2022, Rocky’s former friend, Relli, claimed that the rapper fired a semi-automatic handgun at him during a November 2021 altercation. Relli filed a civil lawsuit, accusing Rocky of assault, battery and emotional distress.
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Rocky denied all the claims, and his attorney shared this response statement: “Defendant generally denies each and every allegation of the complaint, and specifically denies that Plaintiff has been damaged in any amount or in any way as a result of any act or omission of answering defendant. The injuries and/or damages complained of in the complaint, if any, were caused solely, directly and proximately by the negligent and/or intentional acts or omissions of person other than answering defendant.”
On April 20, 2022, the rapper was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in connection to the event, and he was released on bail the same day.
He was facing two charges of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm ahead of the February 18 trial.
At the trial, which was held at Los Angeles’ Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Rocky was found not guilty. Upon hearing the good news, the rapper immediately went to go hug his family. “Thank y’all for saving my life,” he said to the jury. “Thank y’all for making the right decision.”
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Rocky had turned down a plea deal and chosen to go forward with a jury trial. If found guilty, he could’ve been sentenced to up to 24 years in prison.
His lawyer, Joe Tacopina, argued that he was carrying a “prop gun” at the time of the altercation. “For Relli, it was never about justice,” the attorney claimed. “It’s about a man seeking a profit from a fabricated narrative. Rocky has nothing to hide here.”
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Needless to say, Rihanna’s feeling super relieved about the trail outcome. In a February 18 Instagram Story, she wrote: The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by His mercy!” She added a praying hands emoji.