08 February 2023 , 14:50
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The trial has begun for rapper XXXTentacion's fatal shooting in 2018, with three men charged with the musician's murder in Fort Lauderdale, Florida – they have pleaded not guilty.
Defendants Michael Boatwright, 28, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24, could face life in prison if convicted of the SAD! hitmaker's shock murder.
He was just 20-years-old when he was shot dead in his BMW while leaving RIVA Motorsports motorcycle shop on June 18 nearly five years ago.
His sportscar was blocked by an SUV when pulling out of the car park before he and a pal were "ambushed by armed robbers".
The trial has begun for rapper XXXTentacion's fatal shooting in 2018 (TNS via Getty)Each defendant is charged with first-degree murder and is held without bail. Boatwright faces the additional charge of robbery with a firearm.
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Boatwright is accused of being the shooter, while his friend, Newsome, is accused of being the other gunman. Williams is accused of being the driver.
A fourth man, who prosecutors say was in the SUV, Robert Allen, 26, pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder and is reportedly set to testify against his former friends.
As the trial began today, jurors heard theories of the shooting; a robbery gone awry, according to prosecutors, according to AP reports.
One wild theory is that the shooting stemmed from a reported feud between XXXTentacion and rapper Drake, but the defense claim detectives refused to investigate that possibility.
Footage shows XXXTentacion withdrawing $50,000 on the day of his death (Amy Beth Bennett/AP/REX/Shutterstock)AP reported that prosecutor Pascale Achille told jurors Boatwright, Newsome, Williams and Allen, set out that day to commit armed robberies.
Allen and Williams went inside the motorcycle shop to buy masks, she said.
During today's trial beginning, a family friend of the XXX broke down as he told jurors how he and the rapper were ambushed by armed robbers.
Leonard Kerr told the court how two men jumped out with guns. He said the taller man pointed his weapon at him and told him not to get out of the car, punctuating with strong language.
He told the court the other man was trying to pull the rapper’s gold chain from his neck. Kerr said he could hear XXXTentacion asking, "What’s this for?".
Leonard Kerr told the court how two men jumped out with guns (Amy Beth Bennett/AP/REX/Shutterstock)At that point, Kerr said, he decided to escape, pushing the button that opened the passenger door. "If I run, I can get shot, but I can live. If I sit...." he said.
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Kerr said when he looked back, the taller man was pointing his gun at XXXTentacion, and he said he heard at least two loud bangs.
The men allegedly then got back into the SUV and sped off, taking with them the $50,000 the rapper had in his designer bag, as reported by AP.
The trial continues.