Taxstone’s murder trial is finally happening, and rapper Troy Ave is expected to testify.
After many delays, Taxstone’s murder trial finally began last week in New York. The trial is reportedly focusing on the friction between Taxstone and Troy that led to a deadly shooting seven years ago.
Prosecutors recently revealed the state has two cooperating witnesses of the crime, Troy and Malcom Kinyon, a convicted drug dealer from Poughkeepsie, New York. Despite not being present for the shooting, Kinyon says Taxstone discussed the incident with him after the murder occurred.
The two rappers both attended T.I.’s concert in 2016 and reportedly had a shootout inside of the venue. The gun exchange resulted in the death of Troy’s bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter. Troy was also shot in the leg, and three others were wounded by gunfire.
Authorities later found Taxstone’s dna on a semiautomatic firearm that was used in the fatal shooting. The discovery led to him being arrested a year later in January 2017.
Nevertheless, Taxstone has already plead guilty and went to trial for the federal gun charges. However, he will not know his fate on that case until after the murder trial ends.
Troy previously discussed the fatal altercation in an interview with Math Hoffa on his ‘My Expert Opinion’ podcast, saying he acted in self defense.
“It’s like you come in here you bought to do work,” Troy said. “And before you walk in the door there’s a hater there blocking your way. And the hater killed your friend and tried to kill you, and everything is self-defense.”
