The three suspects accused of fatally shooting rising rap star XXXtentacion have been found guilty.
After eight days of deliberations, a Florida jury found the accused shooter, 28-year-old Michael Boatwright, accused second gunman Trayvon Newsome, 24, and accused getaway driver and ringleader Dedrick Williams, 26, guilty of armed robbery and first-degree murder.
During the trial, prosecutors used surveillance footage and cellphone videos of the men to link them to the June 2018 shooting that took place outside of RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, FL. Prosecutors also had testimony from a fourth suspect, Robert Allen, who’s also a former friend of the defendants who admitted to participating in the robbery. Allen pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder.
The defense tried to cast doubt on Allen’s testimony and argued he only testified to avoid a life sentence. They also accused prosecutors of doing a poor job by not investigating XXXTentacion’s feud with rapper Drake.
XXXtentacion, whose given name is Jahseh Onfroy, died in June 2018 following a robbery outside a South Florida motorcycle shop. The fatal shooting of the 20-year-old platinum-selling rising star shocked fans across the world.
Boatwright, Williams and Newsome all face mandatory life sentences. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.
Sentencing will take place Thursday, April 6.
