The Takeoff murder trial is now scheduled for April 15, 2027, after scheduling conflicts and an extensive evidence review pushed the case beyond its planned November start. Patrick Xavier Clark, the Houston man charged with killing the Migos rapper, had been set to face jury selection on November 5, 2026, with opening statements expected on November 9. Harris County court records now list a jury trial for 9 a.m. on April 15, nearly five months later.
Court records provide some insight into the schedule change. An October 8 pretrial conference was marked “reset upon defense request.” However, that entry does not fully explain the postponement. Clark’s attorney, Kent Schaffer, who joined the defense earlier this year, provided additional details, citing conflicting trial schedules and evidence that prosecutors recently turned over.
“Both sides had numerous trial conflicts, and the state recently turned over a large amount of evidence that had not been seen by Mr. Clark’s previous counsel,” Schaffer said. “While there is nothing harmful in that evidence, we still need time to review it. We still fully expect to prevail.”
Schaffer’s statement identifies two reasons behind the Takeoff murder trial delay. Attorneys on both sides faced scheduling conflicts, while Clark’s current legal team needed additional time to examine prosecution materials. Schaffer’s assertion that the evidence contains nothing harmful reflects the defense’s position. The complete contents of those materials have not been publicly detailed in the available reporting.
The postponement follows significant changes to Clark’s legal representation. In March 2026, Schaffer replaced attorney Letitia Quinones-Hollins, while Dan Cogdell and Anthony Osso also joined his defense team.
In September, Clark’s attorneys requested permission for an independent expert to examine bullets and other physical evidence held by the Houston Police Department. That request represented another effort to scrutinize the evidence before the Takeoff murder trial. However, available court reporting does not establish that the September motion directly caused the latest delay.
The criminal case stems from November 1, 2022, when Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was fatally shot outside 810 Billiards & Bowling in downtown Houston.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
According to Houston police, an argument connected to a high-stakes dice game escalated into gunfire during a private gathering. Takeoff, who was just 28 years old, was not participating in the game or the disagreement. Investigators described him as an innocent bystander who was caught in the shooting. Two other people were wounded and survived.
Takeoff had attended the gathering with his uncle and Migos groupmate Quavo. The rapper was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving family members, fellow artists, and fans mourning a major loss in hip-hop. The Grammy-nominated group Migos also included Offset.
Investigators subsequently identified Clark as a suspect. Prosecutors allege surveillance footage captured him pointing and firing a weapon toward a group outside the venue. Authorities also reported recovering Clark’s fingerprints from a wine bottle discovered near the shooting scene.
Clark has denied responsibility for Takeoff’s death and pleaded not guilty to murder. The Takeoff murder trial will require prosecutors to prove their case in court, where the defense will have an opportunity to challenge the evidence and witness testimony.
Clark was arrested on December 1, 2022, approximately one month after the shooting. He was subsequently indicted on a murder charge in May 2023.
His bond was originally set at $2 million before a judge reduced it to $1 million. Clark posted bond and was released from Harris County custody in early January 2023. His release conditions at the time included house arrest, GPS monitoring, and restrictions on contacting individuals connected to the investigation.
The criminal proceedings are separate from a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Takeoff’s mother, Titania Davenport, against the bowling alley’s operators. That lawsuit was settled in December 2025 for an undisclosed amount. Davenport and Takeoff’s father, Kenneth Ball, subsequently became involved in a separate dispute over how the settlement money should be divided.
As the Takeoff murder trial moves into 2027, Clark continues to face a potential life sentence if convicted.
