A Los Angeles jury delivered a pivotal verdict Tuesday in A$AP Rocky's felony assault trial, concluding a high-stakes legal battle that could imprison the Grammy-nominated rapper for decades. The jury of seven women and five men confirmed their decision after deliberating since Tuesday morning, with Rakim Mayers (known professionally as A$AP Rocky) accused of assault with a semi-automatic weapon during a 2021 Hollywood altercation.
Prosecutors allege Mayers shot at childhood friend Terrell Ephron (stage name A$AP Relli) during a November 2021 confrontation. Ephron testified that a bullet grazed his hand, though authorities never recovered the weapon.
He was offered a plea deal but is not interested because he is innocent,defense attorney Joe Tacopina stated, referencing a rejected 180-day jail offer.
The trial spotlighted conflicting narratives about the firearm. Prosecutors argued Mayers used a real gun, while his defense team claimed he carried a prop weapon for security purposes. Key trial details include:
- Two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm
- Maximum sentence of 24 years if convicted
- Star witness testimony from Ephron alleging bullet contact
- Jury selection beginning January 21, 2025
Both former A$AP Mob collective members appeared in court throughout proceedings, with Mayers declining to testify. The verdict caps a three-year legal saga that began with charges filed August 2022. Legal analysts suggest the unrecovered weapon and conflicting testimonies complicated jury deliberations.
