In a significant legal victory, A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of charges related to the shooting of former friend Terell “A$AP Relli” Ephron during a dispute in November 2021. The verdict was announced in a Los Angeles court on February 18, marking a pivotal moment in the rapper’s legal battle. Rocky, who had previously rejected a plea deal that offered him a six-month prison sentence along with a seven-year suspended sentence, successfully argued that law enforcement lacked sufficient evidence, as no gun or shell casings were found at the scene of the incident. His defense claimed that a prop gun was involved.
The case centered around an alleged confrontation outside a hotel where Ephron claimed Rocky brandished a weapon and threatened him. Despite Rocky not taking the stand during the proceedings, support from his family, including appearances by Rihanna and their two sons, garnered attention. Following the verdict, Rocky expressed gratitude to the jury, stating, “Thank y’all for saving my life. Thank y’all for making the right decision.”
Ephron alleged that during their heated argument, Rocky fired shots, one of which grazed his knuckles. In response, the defense argued that Rocky had been using a prop gun taken from a music video, which was intended for deterrence. They suggested that Ephron believed the gun was fake, which led him to pursue Rocky further.
Key witnesses for the defense, including A$AP Twelvyy and A$AP Lou, testified that Rocky possessed a prop gun during the incident. However, the prosecution countered this narrative, questioning the logic behind using a prop gun as a weapon if it was known to be non-lethal. The prosecution referred to a recorded phone conversation where Ephron discussed a real gun and provided a timeline supporting his claims.
While no clear video footage of the incident surfaced, audio recordings captured the surrounding chaos, and police identified footage of Rocky with a firearm near the scene. Despite an extensive search by law enforcement following reported gunshots, no evidence of the shooting, including shell casings or a firearm, was discovered. Rocky’s attorney emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation, noting that the absence of evidence supported their case.
Additionally, A$AP Relli had previously filed a lawsuit against A$AP Rocky, seeking damages for the alleged shooting and defamation in public statements.
