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Rihanna and A$AP Rocky already have a name in mind for their next child, and it's inspired by an unexpected source-Rocky's lawyer. Following the rapper's acquittal in his high-profile assault trial, attorney Joe Tacopina revealed that the couple jokingly vowed to name their future baby "A$AP Joe" in his honor.
"They grabbed me and they said, 'Listen, our next baby, A$AP Joe,'" Tacopina told Extra after Rocky was found not guilty of two felony assault charges related to a 2021 shooting incident. The lawyer laughed as he recalled responding, "I'm gonna hold you to that!"
Emotional courtroom reaction
The verdict, which spared Rocky from a potential 24-year prison sentence, left the rapper visibly shaken. As the first not-guilty count was read, he nearly collapsed, clutching his legal team before turning to Rihanna and his loved ones in the gallery.
Tacopina itted he initially panicked when Rocky began celebrating early, as there was still a second charge to be read. "I told my partner, 'Get him back here, we have another count,'" he recalled. "I was thinking, 'If the second count doesn't go well, this is gonna be embarrassing.' But, of course, it did."
The trial, which lasted nearly four weeks, centered around an alleged dispute with Rocky's former friend, A$AP Relli. The defense successfully argued that there was no credible evidence linking Rocky to the shooting.
Rihanna's heartfelt response
Shortly after the jury's decision, Rihanna took to Instagram to express her gratitude. "THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD AND GOD ALONE," she wrote to her 150 million followers. "THANKFUL, HUMBLED BY HIS MERCY!"
For Rocky, the verdict meant he could return home to his two sons, RZA and Riot, whom he shares with Rihanna. Tacopina described the moment as overwhelming for the rapper, who wasn't sure whether he'd be celebrating with his family that night or beginning a lengthy prison sentence.
While it remains to be seen if Rihanna and Rocky will follow through on their baby name promise, the courtroom exchange added a lighthearted touch to a tense legal battle-one that ended in victory for the rapper and his family.