A$AP Rocky has been found not guilty in a shooting trial. Here’s what to know about the case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A jury's acquittal of A$AP Rocky on Tuesday put to rest a case that has hung over the hip-hop star for years and threatened to derail his life and career.

Rocky was charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, filed after a November 2021 incident in which a former friend said the rapper shot at him in Hollywood, grazing his knuckles.

Rocky had been free on bail since his 2022 arrest, but he faced immediate incarceration if he had been convicted. Rocky pleaded not guilty, rejected a plea deal that would have involved very little jail time and opted not to testify during the case.

He appeared nervous ahead of the verdict and leaped into the arms of Rihanna, his longtime partner, once it was clear the jury acquitted him.

“Thank y’all for saving my life,” he told the panel as they left.

Here's some key elements of the case and how it played out:

Ultimately, it took the jury of seven women and five men roughly three hours to decide the case, finding Rocky not guilty of the two felonies.

They could decide Rocky was not guilty because he only fired blanks from a prop gun taken from a music video set, as the defense argued, or that he acted in self-defense.

Or they could simply decide the prosecution didn't prove its case, and there was too much reasonable doubt to convict.

A$AP Relli’s testimony made up the bulk of the prosecution’s case. One surveillance camera recorded the sound of the shots being fired. Another partially captured a scuffle shortly before the shooting. Yet another video showed the incident itself, though the frame within view was small, blurry and far from definitive.

Jurors also considered text messages to Rocky and others that Relli sent before and after the incident. Relli has also filed a lawsuit, and said in the communications that he had a greater desire to be paid than to see Rocky prosecuted.

Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina called him “an angry pathological liar” who “committed perjury again and again and again and again.”

Defense witnesses included two members of Rocky’s inner circle who testified that he carried the prop gun.

If convicted of both charges, Rocky faced up to 24 years in prison. A conviction would have likely had immediate consequences, especially if he was taken into immediate custody.

In addition to his life with Rihanna and their two young children, Rocky has a packed public schedule the next few months.

It’s a major year for Rocky, with three big events on the horizon.

In March, he’ll headline the Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles.

In May, he’ll be at the Met Gala, the biggest fashion carpet of the year, as a celebrity co-chair along with LeBron James and Pharrell Williams.

And this summer, he’ll add major motion picture actor to his resume as the co-star — with Denzel Washington — in director Spike Lee’s film “Highest 2 Lowest.”

Before the trial started, whether Rihanna would appear was one of the biggest unanswered questions. Even the judge asked Tacopina if she’d show: “She’s welcome to be here whenever she wants I’d just like to know.”

Tacopina said it was unlikely, but as the case progressed, Rihanna became a frequent observer in the courtroom. Her early appearances were surreptitious, but eventually she started entering and exiting the courthouse via public entrances, where photographers and fans waited.

She surprised everyone during closing arguments last week by bringing the couple’s sons, 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers, to the proceedings.

She watched the verdict and received a jubilant Rocky in her arms when he leaped into the audience after his acquittal. They made their way past a mob of photographers into an SUV together as they headed off to celebrate.

The trial had its roots in high school in New York, when the Harlem-raised Rakim Mayers, now known as A$AP Rocky, met Terell Ephron, known as A$AP Relli, who was the trial’s most important witness.

Ephron testified that he brought Rocky into a crew of young creators who called themselves A$AP — for “Always Strive and Prosper.”

A feud developed after Rocky achieved widespread fame, and came to a head in Hollywood on the night of Nov. 6, 2021, when Ephron said Rocky fired at him three or four times, the shots grazing his knuckles.

Ephron went to the police two days later, and brought shell casings he had picked up himself. Rocky’s lawyers seized on recordings of a man who sounded like Relli saying he would stop participating in the criminal case when he was paid in a lawsuit; Relli said the recording was fake.

Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold, a former sheriff’s deputy, has an affable but no-nonsense style and dispenses with many court formalities. In an uncommon move in LA County courts, he allowed cameras in court for nearly the entire trial.

“I believe that the public deserves to see what goes on in the courtroom,” he said before the trial.

Tacopina has also represented other hip-hop figures, including Meek Mill and YG. The lawyer who normally practices in New York is gregarious, quick with a joke and always happy to talk to the media, but can be ruthless in cross-examination.

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin, best known for his successful murder prosecution of real estate scion Robert Durst, was a late addition to the prosecution team. He’s also known for his aggressive cross-examination, including a relentless, weekslong questioning of Durst.

Arnold had to play police officer often between Lewin and Tacopina, whose sparring got vicious and personal at times. The judge was reduced to yelling “knock it off” more than once and threatened money penalties.

But in the end he tipped his hat to the lawyers.

“I think it’s very obvious that everybody at that table left it all out there,” he said. “They gave 150%.”

A$AP Rocky, center left, hugs attorney Joe Tacopina after he was found not guilty in his trial Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A$AP Rocky, center right, speaks next to attorney Chad Seigel after he was found not guilty in his trial Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A$AP Rocky listens to closing arguments during his trial Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles.(Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

Judge Mark S. Arnold presides over A$AP Rocky's trial, in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, i. (Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

Attorney Joe Tacopina, center, speaks during the trial of his client A$AP Rocky, seated right, in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

Deputy District Attorney John Lewin speaks during A$AP Rocky's trial in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

Attorney Joe Tacopina sits next to his client A$AP Rocky during Rocky's trial, in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, . (Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

Attorney Joe Tacopina sits next to his client A$AP Rocky during Rocky's trial, in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, . (Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

Judge Mark S. Arnold presides over closing arguments in the trial of A$AP Rocky, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Allison Dinner/Pool Photo via AP)

A$AP Rocky listens to closing arguments during his trial in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon/ Pool Photo via AP)

A$AP Rocky listens to closing arguments during his trial in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon/Pool Photo via AP)

SAN FRANCISCO DE YARE, Venezuela (AP) — As Diógenes Angulo was freed Saturday from a Venezuelan prison after a year and five months, he, his mother and his aunt trembled and struggled for words. Nearby, at least a dozen other families hoped for similar reunions.

Angulo’s release came on the third day that families had gathered outside prisons in the capital, Caracas, and other communities hoping to see loved ones walk out after Venezuela's government pledged to free what it described as a significant number of prisoners. Members of Venezuela’s political opposition, activists, journalists and soldiers were among the detainees that families hoped would be released.

Angulo was detained two days before the 2024 presidential election after he posted a video of an opposition demonstration in Barinas, the home state of the late President Hugo Chávez. He was 17 at the time.

“Thank God, I’m going to enjoy my family again,” he told The Associated Press, adding that others still detained “are well” and have high hopes of being released soon. His faith, he said, gave him the strength to keep going during his detention.

Minutes after he was freed, the now 19-year-old learned former President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces Jan. 3 in a nighttime raid in Caracas.

Venezuela's government on Thursday pledged to free a significant number of prisoners in what it described as a gesture to “seek peace.” Officials have not identified or given a number of prisoners being considered for release, leaving rights groups scouring for hints of information and families to watch the hours tick by with no word.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the release of people detained for political reasons came at Washington’s request.

"Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners," Trump wrote Saturday on his Truth Social platform. “Thank you! I hope those prisoners will remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done.”

Trump added that should prisoners forget, “it will not be good for them.”

As of Saturday night, only 16 people imprisoned for political reasons had been released, according to Foro Penal, a Venezuelan advocacy group for prisoners. Eight hundred and four remained imprisoned, the group said.

A brother of human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, one of the first to be released and who immediately relocated to Spain, said in a statement that her release “is not full freedom, but rather a precautionary measure substituting deprivation of liberty.” The conditions of her release ban her from speaking to the media.

“This situation does not constitute exile, nor a waiver of her rights, but is part of the humanitarian and diplomatic agreements reached to facilitate her release,” José Manuel San Miguel said of his sister's move to Spain.

Among the prominent members of the country’s political opposition who were detained after the 2024 presidential elections and remain in prison are former lawmaker Freddy Superlano and Perkins Rocha, lawyer for opposition leader María Corina Machado. Juan Pablo Guanipa, a former governor and one of Machado's closest allies, and Rafael Tudares, the son-in-law of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González, also remain imprisoned.

One week after the U.S. military intervention in Caracas, Venezuelans aligned with the government marched in several cities across the country demanding the return of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The pair were captured and transferred to the U.S., where they face charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism. Both pleaded not guilty.

In Caracas, many demonstrators waved Venezuelan flags and chanted, “Maduro, keep on going, the people are rising.”

Acting president Delcy Rodríguez, speaking at a public social-sector event in Caracas, again condemned the U.S. military action on Saturday.

“There is a government, that of President Nicolás Maduro, and I have the responsibility to take charge while his kidnapping lasts ... We will not stop condemning the criminal aggression,” she said, referring to Maduro’s ousting.

After the shocking military action that overthrew Maduro, Trump stated the U.S. would “run” the South American country and demanded access to oil resources, which he promised to use “to benefit the people” of both nations.

“I love the Venezuelan people and I am already making Venezuela prosperous and safe again,” Trump said in his Saturday post.

The U.S. and Venezuelan governments on Friday announced they are evaluating the restoration of diplomatic relations, broken since 2019, and the reopening of their respective diplomatic missions. A U.S. delegation visited Venezuela for several hours Friday.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil responded to Pope Leo XIV's statement Friday calling for maintaining peace and “respecting the will of the Venezuelan people.”

“With respect for the Holy Father and his spiritual authority, Venezuela reaffirms that it is a country that builds, works, and defends its sovereignty with peace and dignity,” Gil said in a social media post, inviting the pontiff “to get to know this reality more closely.”

Relatives and friends of political prisoners hold candles calling for their loved ones to be set free outside the Rodeo I prison in Guatire, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 after the government announced prisoners would be released. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Mariana Gonzalez, the daughter of opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, whose husband is detained, waits outside the Rodeo I prison in Guatire, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, after National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said the government would release Venezuelan and foreign prisoners. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Relatives and friends of political prisoners hold banners calling for their loved ones to be set free outside El Helicoide, the headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 after the government announced prisoners would be released.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Police patrol near El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Narwin Gil cries as she waits for news of her detained sister, Marylyn Gil, outside El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Police patrol near El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A relative embraces Diogenes Angulo after his release from prison in San Francisco de Yare, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Angulo had been detained two days before the 2024 presidential election. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)