Rhianna Benson
After a verdict was given yesterday (18 Feb) in the court case against A$AP Rocky - who stood accused of of firing a gun at a former friend in 2021 - his partner Rihanna has spoken out.
The 'Umbrella' hit-maker has been romantically involved with the rapper since he confirmed long-standing relationship speculation in 2021 in conversation with the Los Angeles Times.
In April 2022, A$AP was arrested by Los Angeles police after former friend and collaborator Terell Ephron claimed the musician had fired a deadly weapon in his direction during an altercation in Hollywood in November 2021.
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Following the report filed by Ephron - who only sustained a graze to his knuckle on the date in question - official charges were filed against A$AP, after surveillance footage of the scene captured a man who appeared to be the defendant potentially holding a gun.
In January 2024, A$AP, 36, entered a plea of not guilty, rejecting a bargain plea of six months in jail.
Though the move meant that the 'Peso' chart-topper would risk receiving a maximum sentence of 20+ years behind bars, it clearly paid off, and after appearing in court this week, the father-of-two was acquitted of the alleged crime.
A$AP's partner Rihanna, also 36, joined his family in court earlier this week, with the rapper running to embrace them when the not guilty verdict was read out. The couple's two infant sons, two-year-old RZA and 18-month-old Riot, were also present for the verdict reading.
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The 'Diamonds' singer has since released a statement on the case, taking to Instagram to share a message on her Story.
"THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE," Rihanna wrote.
"THANKFUL, HUMBLED MY HIS MERCY [praying-hands emoji]."
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A$AP's defence team had claimed in court that the footage in question saw him holding a prop gun, which witnesses claimed had fired blanks in self-defence.
The Grammy-winner defenders also claimed that Ephron had filed his report in an attempt to receive a payout.
The prosecution previously suggested in court that Rihanna's presence in court, along with her two young children, may be a ploy to garner sympathy from the jury.
Deputy District Attorney John Lewin previously instructed the 12 jurors, as per HELLO! Magazine: "You are not allowed to consider how this might affect Rihanna and his kids.
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"We are all responsible for our own actions in the world."
After the verdict was announced, A$AP addressed the jury directly, saying aloud: "Thank y'all for saving my life."