FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A hearing was held Monday for three of the suspects charged in the killing of rapper XXXTentacion.
Last August, another suspect, Robert Allen, accepted a deal to testify against his three co-defendants in the killing of the 20-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, in 2018.
Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm instead of first-degree murder. In exchange for the lesser charge, prosecutors will count on Allen as a witness in the cases of Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome.
Detectives say the group ambushed and robbed the rapper shortly before 4 p.m., on June 18, 2018, outside of RIVA Motorsports. Deputies accused Boatwright of fatally shooting Onfroy.
During Monday’s hearing, Boatwright’s attorney argued to be allowed to ask Onfroy’s mother how much money she received after he died.
Judge Michael Usan granted the motion.
Attorneys for all three suspects also motioned to have each severed from the other, so that they each have their own cases and will not be listed as co-defendants.
“Mr. Williams, Mr. Newsome, and Mr. Boatwright all deserve to have a fair trial,” Joe Kimok, Boatwright’s attorney, said.
The judge denied those requests, but left the opportunity open for the attorneys to ask the court to re-address it if some concerns about discussions on gang activity come up.
Jury selection for the suspects’ trial is expected to begin on Wednesday.
Local 10′s Michelle Solomon chronicled the life and death of XXXTentacion in the Florida Files podcast, which is available for both iOS and Android users. Listen to the series and subscribe below.