LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury’s acquittal of A$AP Rocky on Tuesday has finally put an end to a long-standing case that cast a shadow over the hip-hop artist’s life and career for years. Charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a November 2021 incident, Rocky faced serious allegations after a former friend claimed he was shot at, resulting in a graze on his knuckles.
Since his arrest in 2022, Rocky remained free on bail, but had the specter of imprisonment looming over him if convicted. He pleaded not guilty, declined a plea deal that would have minimized jail time, and opted against testifying during the trial. Upon hearing the jury’s verdict, he visibly relaxed, leaping into the arms of his partner, Rihanna.
“Thank y’all for saving my life,” he expressed gratefully to the jurors as they exited.
What Jurors Considered
After approximately three hours of deliberation, the jury of seven women and five men found Rocky not guilty. They could have concluded that he only discharged blanks from a prop gun, as the defense contended, or that he acted in self-defense. The jury might also have felt that the prosecution failed to sufficiently establish its case, leading to reasonable doubt.
Crucial Testimonies
The testimony of A$AP Relli constituted the backbone of the prosecution’s argument. Surveillance footage indicated sounds of gunfire, but the visual evidence was murky and inconclusive. Text messages from Relli revealed a desire for financial compensation over legal retribution.
If found guilty, Rocky faced a potential sentence of up to 24 years. Fortunately, he can now focus on his growing family with Rihanna and an exciting schedule, including headlining the Rolling Loud music festival and participating in the prestigious Met Gala.
With the cloud of this case now lifted, the future looks bright for A$AP Rocky.
Vocabulary List:
- Acquittal /əˈkwɪt.əl/ (noun): The judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they were charged.
- Allegations /ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃənz/ (noun): Claims or assertions that someone has done something illegal or wrong typically without proof.
- Prosecution /ˌprɒs.ɪˈkjuː.ʃən/ (noun): The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
- Deliberation /dɪˌlɪb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ (noun): Long and careful consideration or discussion.
- Inconclusive /ˌɪŋ.kənˈkluː.sɪv/ (adjective): Not leading to a firm conclusion or result.
- Compensation /ˌkɒm.pənˈseɪ.ʃən/ (noun): Something typically money awarded to someone in recognition of loss suffering or injury.
