Billionaire musician Rihanna is breathing a sigh of relief after her partner and father of her children, A$AP Rocky, was acquitted by a jury of shooting his former friend,
A$AP Relli. Following the verdict, Rihanna shared her gratitude on Instagram, writing, “The Glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy.”
A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, had been facing two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The charges stemmed from a 2021 incident involving his former friend and fellow A$AP Mob member, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron).
The trial, which lasted three weeks, concluded with the jury deliberating for just three hours before reaching a unanimous verdict. After hearing the “not guilty” decision, Mayers expressed his gratitude to the jurors, reportedly telling them, “Thank y’all for saving my life.”
The moment the verdict was announced, Mayers celebrated by hugging Rihanna and other family members in attendance. Throughout the legal ordeal, Rihanna stood firmly by his side.
She was present in the courtroom for much of the trial, often bringing the couple’s two sons—2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers—to show support.
Mayers’ defense team, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, argued that the weapon Mayers allegedly used was a harmless prop from a music video. Tacopina emphasized that the two former friends had a history of camaraderie but experienced a fallout due to tension within the A$AP Mob, the rap collective both had been part of.
The rift reportedly began when other members of the collective accused Mayers of becoming arrogant following his commercial success.
Tacopina suggested that this bitterness fueled Relli’s accusations against Mayers. “Relli’s resentment is the catalyst for this incident,” Tacopina asserted.
Deputy District Attorney John Lewin urged the jury not to be swayed by the fame or family dynamics surrounding the case. During closing arguments, he claimed that Rihanna’s presence with the children was an attempt to manipulate the jury’s emotions.
“You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids,” Lewin cautioned the jurors. “We are all responsible for our actions in the world.”
Despite Lewin’s argument, the jury ultimately sided with the defense.
Before the trial began, Mayers was reportedly offered a plea deal that would have required him to admit to one of the charges in exchange for a reduced sentence of six months in jail.
However, Mayers refused the deal, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.
With the trial now behind him, Mayers is likely to shift his focus to his music and family life.
The acquittal marks the end of a challenging chapter for the rapper and his family, who can now move forward without the looming threat of jail time.