ASAP Rocky and Rihanna have reportedly made a surprising promise to their lawyer, Joe Tacopina, following the rapper’s acquittal in a 2021 shooting case. According to Tacopina, the couple vowed to name their next child after him.
In an interview with Extra published on February 19, Tacopina shared that both Rocky and Rihanna told him, “Our next baby, A$AP Joe.” The lawyer jokingly responded, “I’m gonna hold you to that!”
Tacopina, who represented the rapper in the case, added that Rocky expressed deep gratitude toward him after the trial. “He told me he loved me and we’re family,” the lawyer said.
The verdict in the case was delivered on February 18, when a Los Angeles court found Rocky not guilty of charges related to a 2021 shooting. Following the verdict, the rapper was seen leaping into Rihanna’s arms in an emotional moment. The couple, both 36, has been dating since the summer of 2020 and shares two young children together—RZA, 2, and Riot, 18 months.
Tacopina recalled the intense moments leading up to the verdict. “He didn’t know if he was going to go home and see his two babies that night or start a decade-long prison sentence,” Tacopina said. “He grabbed me and said, ‘Joe, I want you to know, I know how hard you fought here. I know everything you’ve done, and I just appreciate you so much.’”
The lawyer described the gesture as special, considering the gravity of the situation. “It was obvious he was facing a serious moment, and yet he took the time to thank me,” Tacopina said.
Rocky had faced two felony assault charges related to a shooting incident involving his childhood friend-turned-enemy, ASAP Relli (born Terell Ephron). The confrontation, which took place on a Hollywood street in 2021, led to Relli claiming that he was grazed by bullets but was otherwise unharmed.
Tacopina recalled his anxiety when the first charge was read aloud. He was relieved when the second charge was cleared, adding, “I was confident it was going to [go well],” he said.
Rihanna broke her silence on the verdict via Instagram on Tuesday, writing, “The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!” She added a prayer hands emoji to the post. Although she didn’t testify during the trial, Rihanna showed her support for Rocky by attending several court sessions.
Throughout the trial, five prosecution witnesses testified over eight days, but the jury ultimately sided with Rocky, acquitting him of all charges.
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