The Los Angeles County trial lasted for three weeks, and Rocky — real name Rakim Mayers — could have faced 24 years in prison if found guilty, but prosecutors only sought eight years. 

At the time, prosecutors alleged that Rocky pulled a semiautomatic pistol from his waistband and pointed it at Relli as he said: “I’m going to kill you.” The two had apparently met up close to a Hollywood hotel to settle a dispute, and Relli alleged that Rocky fired in his direction twice — claiming that one of the bullets grazed his hands. 

However, Rocky’s defense argued that the weapon allegedly used in the shooting was just a “prop gun,” or a starter pistol, not a real firearm. The “fake gun” proved to be a key part of the trial, with witnesses testifying that Rocky did not carry a real weapon, but had the prop gun when he did not have security with him. It was claimed that Rocky fired the prop gun to stop Relli from attacking one of their friends. 

Rocky was found not guilty by the jury, and famously leaped over the stand to hug Rihanna in court when the verdict was announced.