A Florida jury on Monday found three young men guilty of the death of rising rap star XXXTentacion in 2018.
The artist, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, was 20 years old when he was shot dead in broad daylight on Deerfield Beach near Miami.
XXXTentacion topped the album charts in 2018 with “?” However, its success proved controversial due to its history of violence. He is awaiting trial on charges of hitting his ex-girlfriend while pregnant.
After a week of deliberations, a Fort Lauderdale jury found the three defendants guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery. They are Dedrick Williams, 26; Trayvon Newsom, 24; and Michael Boatwright, 28.
The verdict is scheduled for April 6. A first-degree murder conviction could land him in prison for life.
On June 18, 2018, a quad bike cut into XXXTentacion’s car, and two men got out and shot him. They stole a bag containing $50,000 in cash and fled.
Prosecutors said Boatwright and Newsom got out of the car, but Boatwright shot the rapper. Williams was accused of being the getaway driver and mastermind of the attack.
A fourth suspect, Robert Allen, 26, testified against three other months after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery.
At his death, XXXTentacion was enjoying a career takeoff, winning over fans with works filled with honest and dark verses about suicidal thoughts.
