- A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was acquitted of felony charges in a 2021 shooting case. The jury found him not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
- Fellow A$AP Mob rapper A$AP Twelvyy’s testimony went viral during the trial, attracting media attention to the case
- Mayers thanked the jury after the not guilty verdict, stating they “saved my life.”
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A$AP Rocky has been acquitted of felony charges in a 2021 shooting case. A jury found the rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Jury selection for the 36-year-old’s trial began in late January in Los Angeles. Mayers was accused of firing a gun at his former friend, Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli.
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The jury, made up of seven women and five men, reached a verdict that led to cheers inside the courtroom. Mayers immediately ran to embrace his legal team and family, including his longtime partner, Rihanna.
Rihanna attends trial, avoids cameras
Rihanna attended multiple days of the trial but largely avoided cameras and paparazzi questions.
Shortly after the verdict, she posted a message on her Instagram story in responding to the outcome. Meanwhile, Mayers took to X, posting a simple message: “Don’t be dumb.” That phrase has become the unofficial motto of his creative agency, AWGE.
A$AP Twelvyy’s viral testimony
During the trial, fellow A$AP Mob rapper A$AP Twelvyy took the stand. When prosecutors asked him what AWGE stood for, the moment quickly went viral on social media.
“What does AWGE mean?” the prosecutor asked.
“AWGE,” Twelvyy replied.
Before he could elaborate, Mayers interjected: “Don’t say it.”
Fans question fairness of trial
The trial drew major attention, especially from Mayers’ fans, who questioned its fairness.
One viral X thread with over 350,000 views outlined alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case. Critics pointed to contradictory statements and a lack of key evidence.
Ephron’s testimony became a major point of contention. At first, he told the court he never held any animosity toward Mayers. However, text messages presented by Mayers’ lawyer, Joe Tacopina, suggested otherwise.
The case reportedly stemmed from a dispute over funeral expenses for their mutual friend. Mayers had allegedly promised to cover the costs but did not.
Ephron denied writing the texts at first. Later, he admitted to sending them but claimed they meant nothing. Tacopina accused him of perjury, arguing that he lied under oath.
Gun range video complicates case
Another key moment came when Ephron’s credibility was called into question.
Initially, he denied ever handling a 9mm gun before the alleged shooting. But later, video evidence showed him at a Los Angeles gun range just two weeks prior.
At first, Ephron claimed the video was filmed in New Jersey. However, after an X user posted a matching interior photo of the Los Angeles Gun Club, he admitted that he misidentified the location.
Tacopina argued that this was a major red flag. He suggested that Ephron had access to 9mm shell casings before the incident. That’s significant because no gun was ever recovered — only a few shell casings, which Ephron himself presented to police.
Mayers rejected plea deal before trial
Mayers pleaded not guilty and did not testify during the trial. Before the proceedings began, he also rejected a plea deal that included a 180-day jail sentence.
Following the not guilty verdict, Mayers thanked the jury, saying they “saved my life.”
Had he been convicted, he could have faced up to 24 years in prison.
