Three men, Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome, have been handed life sentences for the 2018 killing of rap star XXXTentacion. The shocking murder took place outside a South Florida motorcycle shop, where the rapper, real name Jahseh Onfroy, was robbed of $50,000.
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The Florida jury convicted the trio after deliberating for over a week, finding them guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the controversial rapper’s death. Robert Allen, another man involved in the crime, had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year.
On that fateful day in June 2018, XXXTentacion was leaving a motorcycle shop when two armed masked men approached and demanded property from him. A 45-second struggle ensued, during which the rapper was shot. The suspects then grabbed a Louis Vuitton bag containing $50,000 in cash and fled the scene in an SUV.
During the trial, Boatwright’s lawyer argued that his client’s DNA was not found on XXXTentacion’s body, with the DNA of the two other men also not matching. However, lead prosecutor Pascale Achille stated that the lack of DNA evidence was irrelevant, as cell phone data placed the three accused near the motorcycle shop at the time of the rapper’s death. Bluetooth data also indicated that the men were in the SUV used by the shooters.
In the wake of the guilty verdicts, the three men now face life behind bars. This marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for the slain rapper, who, despite facing controversies and felony charges, including aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and domestic battery by strangulation, enjoyed a highly successful music career.
Remembering XXXTentacion
XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, was a young and talented rapper who rose to fame with his unique style and emotionally charged music. He began his career in 2013 by uploading his music to SoundCloud, where he quickly gained a significant following. His track Look at Me became a viral hit on the platform, eventually peaking at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100.
As his popularity soared, XXXTentacion released several successful singles and albums, exploring themes of depression, loneliness, abandonment, and suicide. His music resonated deeply with fans who identified with his raw and honest lyrics, propelling him to stardom in a relatively short period.
However, XXXTentacion’s life was not without controversy. He faced numerous legal issues, including 15 felony charges at the time of his death, such as aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, and witness tampering. Despite these personal struggles, the rapper’s influence and reach continued to grow.
Following his untimely death in 2018, many of his tracks climbed up the charts in the UK and the US, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the music industry. Thousands of fans attended his memorial, a testament to the indelible impact XXXTentacion had on the lives of so many during his short-lived but powerful career.