For the previous three weeks, A$AP Rocky did his finest to maintain his cool for Rihanna whereas on trial in downtown Los Angeles.
After the “Style Killa” rapper was discovered not responsible in his felony assault trial on Tuesday, Feb. 18, a supply tells ipromiseyoumedia that he placed on a “courageous face” for his companion — regardless of going through as much as 24 years in jail.
“There are actually no phrases to precise how relieved they’re. Not accepting the plea deal was a bet, however he at all times had religion in his authorized staff,” the supply tells ipromiseyoumedia solely of Rihanna and Rocky, each 36.
“He is been placing on a courageous face to not stress Rihanna out extra, but it surely was apparent yesterday that it has been very anxious for him,” the supply provides of Rocky, who was accused of firing a semi-automatic handgun at his former pal and A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli in an altercation in November 2021.
After the primary verdict was learn, Rocky, who was going through two costs of felony assault with a semiautomatic firearm, instantly jumped over the stand to hug his mother, sister and Rihanna.
“Thank y’all for saving my life. Thank y’all for making the correct determination,” he instructed the jury.
After the listening to, the “Love on the Mind” singer expressed gratitude on her Instagram Tales: “The glory belongs to God and God alone!”
“Grateful, humbled by His mercy!” she added.
Rocky turned down a plea deal from prosecutors and opted for a jury trial as a substitute of pleading responsible to certainly one of two felony costs of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on Jan. 21.
Rihanna confirmed as much as court docket on a number of days of the trial and even introduced their two sons, RZA, 2½, and Riot, 18 months.
Throughout closing statements, District Lawyer John Lewin requested the jury to not be swayed by Rihanna’s presence within the court docket.
“This isn’t one thing you are allowed to think about,” he mentioned. “We’re all chargeable for what we do.”
He continued, “I need to ensure that regardless of how well-known his [partner] is, regardless of how cute his youngsters are, regardless of how a lot they giggle throughout closing arguments… he must be handled like every other individual. As a result of ultimately that is what he is entitled to.”
Throughout a break the day they got here in, Rihanna instructed her sons to “want Daddy good luck” earlier than they took off.
In opening statements, Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina claimed the rapper was carrying a “prop gun” in case of potential threats.
“For Relli, it was by no means about justice… it’s a couple of man searching for a revenue from a fabricated narrative,” Tacopina mentioned. “Rocky has nothing to cover right here.”
In the meantime, the prosecution staff argued this was “not a sophisticated case” and Relli confirmed up the night time of the altercation pondering they’d “restore their relationship.” (Whereas on the stand in November 2023, Relli testified they had been “actually cool” earlier than rigidity began to constructed as a result of Rocky discovered solo success and have become “big-headed.”
Relli, filed a civil swimsuit for assault, battery and emotional misery in opposition to Rocky on Aug. 10, 2022. The rapper has denied all claims. On April 20, 2022, Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles Worldwide and launched on bail the identical day.
Following his arraignment final January, Tacopina instructed press Rocky was “cool as a cucumber” forward of trial and desirous to get it “over with so he can begin having fun with his household.”
