A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, was acquitted of felony assault charges after allegedly
firing a gun at his former friend, A$AP Relli, in 2021. He had rejected a plea deal offering
a six-month prison sentence and probation, choosing to go to trial instead. The jury found
reasonable doubt, leading to a ‘not guilty’ verdict. Rocky, who faced up to 24 years in prison,
expressed his relief by leaping towards his girlfriend, Rihanna, and thanking the jury, saying,
“Thank y’all for saving my life.” The defense argued that the gun was a prop firing blanks
in self-defense, which was only disclosed to authorities shortly before the trial.
