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Why Did the Jury Find A$AP Rocky Not Guilty? Full Case Details Explained 

The case rested heavily on witness testimonies without physical evidence. Some witnesses even provided statements in favor of the defense that Rocky had merely acted with a prop gun.

On February 18th 2025, the Los Angeles jury at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center found rapper A$AP Rocky aka Rakim Mayers, not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Upon hearing the decision, Rocky rushed into the arms of his partner, Rihanna who had remained beside him during the entire trial. Rihanna later expressed her gratitude on social media stating, “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by His mercy.”

Rihanna about A$AP Rocky's case decision

Why Was A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty?

Several factors went into the making of the verdict. Rocky’s legal team argued the particular weapon was actually a prop gun incapable of causing any real harm. This allegation created some doubt as to the gravity of his felony. Further prosecutors failed to produce the alleged weapon or any forensic evidence connecting Rocky to a real gun. 

The case rested heavily on witness testimonies without physical evidence. Some witnesses even provided statements in favor of the defense that Rocky had merely acted with a prop gun. This put the prosecution on the wrong foot and in the end, the jury came to a conclusion on the basis of insufficient evidence to convince them beyond a reasonable doubt that Rocky is not guilty. 

Full Case Details Explained:

The charges against A$AP Rocky are from a November 2021 altercation in Hollywood involving Terell Ephron also known as A$AP Relli. Ephron accused Rocky of brandishing a semiautomatic firearm and firing in his direction and apparently injuring his hand slightly. Rocky was arrested in April 2022 for heading back to Los Angeles from a vacation with Rihanna and was charged with two felony counts of assault which entail considerable jail time.

During the trial which began in January 2025, the defense said Rocky had used a prop gun from a music video set and claimed that Ephron’s accusations were financially motivated. Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that Rocky willfully fired a real weapon at Ephron. The jury ultimately acquitted him, given that there was no concrete evidence connecting Rocky to a real firearm and the witness testimony was conflicting.

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