On Monday, Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome were found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the killing of rapper XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy. The murder occurred outside a South Florida motorcycle shop in 2018 while he was being robbed of $50,000.
The verdict was reached after a monthlong trial where prosecutors presented extensive surveillance video evidence, cellphone videos, and the testimony of a fourth man, Robert Allen, who had participated in the robbery. Allen pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder and has not been sentenced yet. The three defendants will receive mandatory life sentences at a later date.
BREAKING: all suspects in XXXTentacion’s murder trial FOUND GUILTY of first degree murder and armed robbery. pic.twitter.com/RLb9p44Oxa
— DomIsLive NEWS (@domislivenews) March 20, 2023
Prosecutors linked the defendants to the shooting through various pieces of evidence, including text messages from Boatwright, whom prosecutors identified as the shooter. Prosecutors say Boatwright had sent 17 text messages to various people, including one about getting a car, from the time he woke up until an hour before the shooting. The SUV used in the shooting was rented from a woman through a phone app. Boatwright had stopped texting for about two hours before sending a message that he had gotten the money for a new phone and a screenshot of a news story saying XXXTentacion had been shot.
During the trial, defense attorneys accused Allen of being a liar and claimed that prosecutors and detectives did not investigate other possible suspects, including the Canadian rap star Drake, with whom XXXTentacion had an online feud.
XXXTentacion, who was 20 years old at the time of his death, was a platinum-selling rising star who had addressed issues such as prejudice and depression in his music. However, he also had a controversial past, including charges of domestic violence and multiple arrests.
BREAKING: All suspects in XXXTENTACION’s murder trial have been found guilty ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ehXr8Lk4ZS
— RapTV (@Rap) March 20, 2023
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Conclusion
The verdict brings closure to XXXTentacion’s family and fans, who have been waiting for justice since his tragic death in 2018. The evidence presented during the trial clearly linked the three defendants to the crime, and justice has been served. The legacy of XXXTentacion will always be remembered through his music and the impact he made on his fans.
