American rapper Rakim Athelston Myers, better known as Ace Rocky, was acquitted of an armed attack on a friend in 2021.
Tuesday's verdict ended a case that could have ruined the hip-hop star's career because, if convicted, Rocky would have been sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Rocky is accused of shooting a semi-automatic pistol and wounding a friend in Hollywood in November 2021.
Since August 2022, when he was charged, Rocky has been on conditional bail.
He pleaded not guilty, refused a plea agreement that would have brought a shorter prison sentence, and did not testify during the trial.
At the end of the trial, the jury justified his acquittal by saying that he had fired from a prop used in a music video in self-defense, which was confirmed by witnesses. The jury believes that the prosecution did not prove the charges and that there is too much doubt about what and how happened.
The jury also took into account the statements of his friend Terrell Efron, who he shot, better known as Acep Reilly.
"Thank you for saving my life!", Roki said after leaving the courtroom.
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