A$AP Rocky Found Guilty in Sweden Assault Case But Won't Do Time
A$AP Rocky Guilty in Sweden Assault Case!!! But NO Prison Time
UPDATE
12:38 PM PT -- A$AP is now speaking out about the verdict, saying he is "of course disappointed."
UPDATE
UPDATE
In addition to thanking everyone who stood by him and who advocated for justice, he states "Imma keep moving forward."
UPDATE
10:01 AM PT -- A$AP's attorney, Slobodan Jovicic, just issued a statement on the guilty verdict, and he says he and the team ain't happy about it, even though their client doesn't have to do more jail time.
UPDATE
Jovicic says he sees it as a victory that the court recognized Rocky didn't use a bottle, that he was followed and harassed, and didn't act in a joined attack or inflict wounds on the victim -- but the fact he was found NOT to be acting in self-defense is something he disagrees with.
UPDATE
He adds ... the likely reason Rocky wasn't acquitted is because two witnesses to the attack did not see what was happening in the moments leading up to it. Jovicic says the situation unfolded very quickly, which makes it difficult for someone to comprehend the right way. That said, he explains it's hard to accept the judgment as it stands.
UPDATE
Jovicic makes no mention of the sentence -- which is an absolute win for Rocky and co.
A$AP Rocky did not beat the rap in Sweden, because the judges in his assault case have found him guilty ... but he will NOT have to go to prison.
The 4 judges in the case issued their written ruling Wednesday ... concluding A$AP was guilty of assaulting a man during a street fight in Stockholm. The judges said Rocky, and his 2 friends who were also standing trial, "were not in a situation where they were entitled to self-defense."
The case hinged on whether A$AP threw a bottle at the victim during the all-out brawl in late June. Prosecutors argued Rocky hurled the bottle and badly cut the guy, but they couldn't produce a single witness who saw a bottle fly during the melee. Rocky conceded he was holding a bottle for protection, but put it down and it never made contact with the guy.
The judges said prosecutors did not prove the bottle was used to hit the victim. As a result, the judges said the crime did not warrant any further time served, and added Rocky will NOT have to do community service.
Rocky got a suspended sentence ... meaning he'll have to pay various fees and fines, and if he does he's in the clear. The judges felt Rocky and his co-defendants got ample punishment already with time served -- 1 month in a Swedish jail.
The upshot ... the court found hitting and kicking the victim while he was on the ground was a crime -- namely, assault -- because A$AP and his crew were not in danger of imminent harm, but prosecutors failed to prove the biggest issue ... that A$AP struck the victim with a bottle, and that's why he got no jail time.
A$AP and the co-defendants will, however, have to pay restitution to the victim, and also cover Sweden's court expenses.
JULY 2019
As we reported, the alleged victim was the initial aggressor, harassing Rocky and his crew despite pleas from the rapper to leave them alone. The guy also attacked Rocky's bodyguard before A$AP took care of business.
JULY 2019
A$AP was jailed for a month, and 3/4 of that time spent behind bars was before he was even charged. A$AP never claimed his arrest was racially motivated ... but his mom and G-Eazy had a different view.
The case became an international incident -- claims of racism and inhumane conditions in the jail. President Trump intervened ... but that didn't sit well with the Swedish Prime Minister who told him to butt out.
After a month in jail and a 3-day trial, the judges allowed Rocky to fly home to the states while they decided his fate. Prosecutors wanted Rocky to remain in jail pending the verdict, because they said he was a flight risk.
A$AP blew out of Sweden on a private jet, and was gleeful when he touched down at LAX.
As we reported ... Rocky performed last weekend at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA for the first time since his arrest and told his fans, "Hopefully I'm not guilty and hopefully we ain't gotta go back to jail or nothing like that."
Rocky seemed to indicate he would have returned to Sweden to do the time if found guilty -- however, that won't be an issue.
Originally Published -- 5:16 AM PT
