Three Men Convicted of the Murder of Rapper XXXTentacion Given Life Sentences

Three Men Convicted of the Murder of Rapper XXXTentacion Given Life Sentences

 

Three men convicted of the murder of rapper XXXTentacion were given life sentences Thursday in a Florida courtroom. Judge Michael Usan sentenced Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole or early release for good behavior.

The three men were convicted in March on first-degree murder and robbery charges for the killing of XXXTentacion, who was known by his legal name Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy. The rapper’s manager read a statement on behalf of the Onfroy family during the sentencing.

During the trial, prosecutors linked Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and TrayvonNewsome to the June 18, 2018, shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale through extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store, plus cellphone videos the men took showing themselves flashing fistfuls of $100 bills hours after the slaying. They also had the testimony of a fourth man, Robert Allen, who pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder in connection with the shooting and testified against the three defendants.

Prosecutors said the trio set out that day to commit armed robberies. When they saw XXXTentacion in the parking lot of a motorcycle shop, they recognized him and decided to rob him.

They were able to grab the rapper’s Louis Vuitton bag, which was filled with cash he had just withdrawn from the bank. Afterwards, they got back into their vehicle and sped away.

The three defendants pled not guilty to the crime, but the jury found them responsible and handed down the verdicts. During their trial, prosecutors said the defendants were on a revenge mission after a beef between XXXtentacion and Canadian rap star Drake.

Defense attorneys tried to poke holes in the state’s case, but the jury did not find any. The prosecutors emphasized that Boatwright, Williams and Newsome were armed with guns and had plans to rob the shop.

In addition, prosecutors said they were able to show Boatwright’s DNA on a bullet casing that belonged to the suspects’ vehicle. He was the triggerman, prosecutors said.

The trial spanned for four weeks as prosecutors laid out testimony, surveillance video and cellphone records tying each of the men to the crime. The jury also heard several theories about the shooting, including that it could have been a robbery gone wrong.