A$AP Rocky’s Not Guilty Verdict: Juror Reveals Mixed Feelings and Evidence Gaps
A$AP Rocky just dodged a bullet—figuratively and literally! The rapper walked away with a not-guilty verdict in a Hollywood assault case, yet not every juror was convinced he was innocent. In an exclusive chat with freelance journalist Nique Laclaire, one juror admitted that while she believed a crime may have occurred, the evidence just wasn’t there to seal the deal.
This legal drama stemmed from a 2021 altercation where Rocky was accused of shooting at fellow rapper A$AP Relli. The major point of contention? Whether the gun used was a real firearm or just a prop. The juror revealed that the panel was made up of 7 women and 5 men, and some believed the supposed prop gun was indeed a legitimate weapon. But the mystery of the missing firearm left them scratching their heads. “It was kind of a little mysterious the way it disappeared,” she remarked, emphasizing that the lack of concrete evidence played a pivotal role in their deliberations.
Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, of course, seized the moment to celebrate what he views as a triumph of the justice system. He disclosed that the jury’s initial vote was overwhelmingly in his client’s favor—10 jurors were ready to declare him not guilty almost immediately, leading to just a three-hour deliberation. Tacopina also noted that he had spoken to three other jurors who echoed the sentiment that they believed the gun was a prop.
It’s important to point out that the juror felt Relli genuinely feared for his life during the incident, but she also criticized his testimony as full of inconsistencies. And while some might speculate that Rocky’s superstar lifestyle—complete with the presence of Rihanna and their children—might have influenced the jury, the juror was quick to dismiss that idea. “They weren’t swayed by the celebrity factor,” she asserted.
In the end, Rocky’s relief was palpable as he celebrated the verdict, embracing Rihanna as they broke into a scene straight out of a rom-com. If found guilty, he could have faced up to 24 years in the clink, but instead, he can now focus on what really matters—his family and music.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and TMZ, People Magazine, Variety
