The trial of three men accused of murdering rapper XXXTentacion outside a motorcycle dealership almost five years ago has resulted in a hung jury.
The jurors deliberated for a total of 10 hours since receiving the case late Wednesday and made their first request to see a transcript of the statement given by Dedrick Williams, the alleged ringleader, after his arrest.
However, no transcript was presented during the trial, and they were instructed to rely on their memory of the detectives’ testimony. The 12 jurors will return to court on Monday to continue deliberations.
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Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome are all charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, and if convicted, they could receive mandatory life sentences, as prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.
Last year, a fourth individual named Robert Allen, aged 26, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and provided testimony against his former associates in the case involving the murder of rapper XXXTentacion outside a motorcycle dealership almost five years ago.
Jahseh Onfroy, also known by his stage name XXXTentacion, and a companion had just departed Riva Motorsports, located in suburban Fort Lauderdale, on June 18, 2018, when an SUV cut in front of his BMW, preventing it from proceeding.
Based on surveillance video, it was discovered that two masked gunmen confronted 20-year-old rapper XXXTentacion at the driver’s window of his BMW after an SUV blocked his path on June 18, 2018. One of the gunmen shot him several times before taking a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 that he had withdrawn from a bank. The friend who accompanied the rapper was unharmed.
During the trial, Robert Allen testified that the defendants planned to rob people that day and stopped by the motorcycle shop to buy a mask for Dedrick Williams. After seeing XXXTentacion, they decided to target him. Allen and Williams went inside the shop to confirm it was him before returning to their rented SUV to wait for the rapper to exit. The men then ambushed him, according to Allen’s testimony.
Prosecutors presented cellphone data and surveillance footage to connect the defendants to the crime scene. Additionally, they showed jurors videos allegedly posted by the defendants on social media that evening, in which they flaunted stacks of $100 bills.
While the defendants’ lawyers argue that Allen is lying and that there is no DNA evidence linking them to the crime, prosecutors maintain that the money-flashing videos, although “stupid,” indicate that the defendants were involved in the shooting and robbery.
The rapper, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was a successful rising star known for addressing issues such as prejudice and depression in his music. However, he also faced criticism for his bad behavior and numerous arrests, including charges that he physically assaulted and abused his girlfriend.
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