Because I Got High star Afroman wins £3m legal case against cops he mocked

Because I Got High hitmaker Afroman has just won a legal battle against seven sheriff’s deputies, as he stunned in court in an incredible patriotic suit. During the three-day trial and his subsequent victory celebration on Wednesday (March 18) Afroman, born Joseph Foreman, wore a flamboyant, American flag-themed suit. The American rapper represented his nation as she showed up to court in Ohio, USA, sporting a full red, white, and blue suit featuring a pattern of stars and stripes.

His unique court attire further encompassed a matching necktie made from the same patriotic fabric. Afroman paired his special outfit with a pair of sunnies, including a pair with American flag lenses while testifying on the witness stand . The artist’s choice of attire was reportedly a deliberate statement regarding his defense strategy.

Afroman's legal team argued that his music and videos were protected by the First Amendment, and he used the suit to "wrap himself in the flag" as a symbol of his constitutional right to free speech and to criticize public officials, the LA Times reported. Afroman secured a significant legal victory yesterday when a jury in Adams County, Ohio, cleared him of all charges in a high-profile civil lawsuit brought by seven sheriff’s deputies. The officers from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office had sued the star for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking nearly $4 million (approximately £3.1 million) in damages.

The jury found Afroman not liable on any of the 13 claims, with the judge declaring that no plaintiff prevailed, thus ending the deputies’ attempt to claim compensation. The case stemmed from a 2022 no-knock raid on Afroman’s home in Winchester, Ohio, as part of a suspected drug trafficking and kidnapping investigation. No evidence was found during the raid and no charges were filed.

In response, Afroman used his home security footage to create viral music videos, including “Lemon Pound Cake” and “Will You Help Me Repair My Door”, which mocked the officers and helped him pay for the damage caused to his property. The deputies claimed these videos caused them “humiliation” and “emotional distress”, with one officer reportedly breaking down in tears during the trial. During the trial, Afroman told the court: “The whole raid was a mistake.”

He further explained that the officers would never have featured in his videos if they hadn’t “wrongly raided” his home.

Meanwhile the officers’ legal team tried to argue that Afroman had “perpetuated lies intentionally” about their clients. Their lawyer Robert Klingler told the court: “Even if somebody does something to you that hurts you, that you think is wrong – like a search warrant execution that you think is unfair – that doesn’t justify telling intentional lies designed to hurt people.” Afroman, however, maintained that as an artist he had a constitutional right to criticise public officials, the BBC reported.

His lawyer, David Osborne, argued that the courts should not be used by public officials to “silence” criticism simply because it was hurtful.

“I’m sorry they feel the way they do, but there’s a certain amount that you have to take as a public official, it’s part of the duties of the job,” Osborne told the court.

He added: “What chilling effect does that have on the world we live in? You don’t like what a public official does and you make a joke, and you’re dragged into court?” Following the verdict, Afroman jubilantly declared: “We did it, America!

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