Three men have been found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the 2018 killing of rapper XXXTentacion. Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome were convicted by a jury after less than an hour of deliberation on the eighth day of their trial. The sentencing will be held on April 6, where Florida law dictates a life sentence for first-degree murder convictions.
XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was shot outside a South Florida motorcycle shop while being robbed of $50,000. Surveillance video taken inside and outside the store, plus cellphone videos the men took showing them flashing fistfuls of $100 bills hours after the slaying, were used as evidence against the defendants. Prosecutors also had the testimony of a fourth man, Robert Allen, a former friend of the defendants who said he participated in the robbery. He pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder.
During the month-long trial, defense attorneys accused Allen of being a liar who was motivated by his desire to avoid a life sentence. They also said prosecutors and detectives did a poor investigation that didn’t look at other possible suspects, including the Canadian rap star Drake, with whom XXXTentacion had an online feud. However, prosecutors linked Boatwright, Williams, and Newsome to the shooting through extensive surveillance video and cellphone evidence.
Boatwright was identified as the primary shooter. Twice last week, the jury asked to review 17 text messages that prosecutors said he sent to various people from the time he woke up about 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., about an hour before the shooting. He then stopped texting for about two hours. About an hour after the shooting, Boatwright sent a text saying, “Tell my brother I got the money for the new phone.” Minutes after that, he sent someone a screenshot of a news story saying XXXTentacion had been shot, prosecutors said.
Newsome was accused of being the other gunman. Williams was accused of being the driver of the SUV, and Allen of being inside the vehicle. Allen testified that the men set out that day to commit robberies and went to the motorcycle shop to buy Williams a mask. There they spotted the rapper and decided to make him their target. Allen and Williams went inside the shop to confirm it was him. They then went back to the SUV they had rented, waited for XXXTentacion to emerge and ambushed him, according to testimony.
XXXTentacion was a platinum-selling rising star who tackled issues including prejudice and depression in his songs. He also drew criticism over bad behavior and multiple arrests, including charges that he severely beat and abused his girlfriend.
The Broward State Attorney’s Office thanked the jurors and prosecutors in a statement but said it would not comment further until the sentencing. Williams’ attorney, Mauricio Padilla, told The Associated Press that he doesn’t feel his client was afforded a fair trial. He noted that a crucial defense witness was stricken and that he was prohibited from deposing a key witness. Phone messages were left with attorneys representing Boatright and Newsome.
In conclusion, justice has been served in the murder case of XXXTentacion. The evidence presented by the prosecution was enough to convict the three men responsible for his death. While some may argue about the fairness of the trial, the evidence speaks for itself, and the sentencing will be held on April 6. XXXTentacion was a talented artist whose life was cut short by senseless violence, and his legacy will continue to live on through his music.
We always love XXXTantacion.