Online Reporter
A$AP Rocky flew into Rihanna’s arms after being handed a not guilty verdict in his assault trial on Tuesday.
The rapper, 36, faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from an alleged 2021 altercation with his former friend, A$AP Relli.
After the verdict was read, Rocky almost collapsed, grabbing his lawyers for support before turning to Rihanna and his family sitting in the first row of the courtroom.
The crowd howled as he lunged forward into his significant other’s arms, with video catching Rihanna’s reaction from inside the courtroom.
In the clip streamed by Extra, the “Don’t Stop the Music” singer, 36, clutched to Rocky like she’d never let go.
Nearly breaking down, Rihanna squeezed him tightly and pressed her lips together while his family joined in on the celebration.
When everyone gathered their composure, Rocky emotionally thanked the jury for “saving my life.”
Rihanna posted on her Instagram Stories following the news. “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy,” she wrote.
Outside the courthouse, his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, demanded the Los Angeles District Attorney look at prosecuting Relli, whose real name is Terell Ephron.
“They have him admitting to perjury. They have him committing extortion. This jury saw through it and came to an enormously quick and speedy verdict, the right verdict,” Tacopina said.
He also showed Rocky and Rihanna love.
“They are seriously the greatest people. And I said I love them, and I really do love them.”
Overcome with emotion, Rihanna reportedly burst into tears as the ruling was announced.
$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was visibly emotional as he hugged his legal team after being acquitted of all charges in his felony assault trial.
The jury reached a unanimous decision after just three hours of deliberation, following last week’s closing arguments.
Before the trial began, prosecutors had offered the rapper a plea deal, which would have resulted in six months in jail and probation if he admitted guilt to one count. Rocky declined, choosing to fight the charges in court.
The case centered around accusations that Rocky fired two shots at former friend A$AP Relli – real name Terell Ephron – during a November 2021 altercation in Hollywood.
Relli, a longtime associate from their A$AP Mob days, testified that he was uninjured except for a bullet grazing his knuckle.
However, Rocky’s defence team argued that the shots were blanks from a prop gun he had obtained on a music video set.
Tacopina, dismissed Relli as “an angry pathological liar” who repeatedly committed perjury throughout the trial.
The jury was also instructed that if they believed Rocky had acted in self-defence, he could not be found guilty.
Throughout the trial, Rihanna was a constant presence in the courtroom to support her other half. The singer even brought their two young children – RZA, two, and Riot Rose, one − to the courtroom for the closing arguments.
As one of the most recognisable celebrities in the world, Rihanna’s presence in court became a talking point, with speculation about how it might influence the jury’s decision. Her name was mentioned multiple times during jury selection, highlighting her impact on the case.
“You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,” said Deputy District Attorney John Lewin during the case. “We are all responsible for our own actions in the world.”
The jurors exited the courtroom without speaking to the media. The musical artist insisted throughout the trial that he never fired a real gun, claiming he had only been carrying a prop weapon for protection. − New York Post/Agencies
Mathew Masinge