The music world was rocked when controversial rapper XXXTentacion was shot and killed at a Florida motorcycle dealership in 2018. Viral footage showed his exit blocked by an SUV and a fatal confrontation with three men. However, regardless of how you felt about XXXTentacion, the death of a young and vibrant musician was an undeniable tragedy. Despite it being nearly five years since his death, the case has remained painfully relevant.
His alleged killers only faced trial two months ago. Despite being arrested in late 2018, Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Dedrick Williams faced trial in February 2023. They were charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. According to the prosecution, the three men tracked and deliberately targeted XXXTentacion before confronting and killing him as he left RIVA Motorsports in Deerfield Beach. The three men were also accused of stealing $50,000 and a Louis Vuitton bag. The trial featured testimony from Tentacion’s uncle, Leonard Kerr, who was with him at the dealership. It also heard from Robert Allen, a fourth defendant who had pled guilty to a lesser charge. The court also heard a wave of other damning testimony. Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams were found guilty on all counts on March 20. It took the jury eight days to decide a verdict.
Life Sentences For Murder Of XXXTentacion
The 3 men convicted of murdering XXXTentacion just learned their fate … with the judge sentencing them to life in prison. https://t.co/BYliAN5DNB
Two and a half weeks after being found guilty, XXXTentacion’s killers returned to court to receive their sentence. First reported by TMZ, the judge passed down a life sentence to the three men. However, the sentencing was a mere formality. In the state of Florida, the men would face mandatory life sentences if found guilty. There was no surprise and change to that as the judge handed down the sentences. Allen, who pled guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for his testimony, will be sentenced at a later date.
However, the sentencing of Boatwright, Newsome, and Williams brings to a close a five-year saga. It is the end of an ordeal for the family, friends, and fans of the late rapper. With his killers now set to spend the rest of their lives behind bars, people associated with XXXTentacion can now truly begin to heal. They can begin to move on, knowing that justice has been served.
Pete Davidson is one of the most notable names in recent Saturday Night Live history. After announcing his desire to pursue other comedic endeavors, Davidson stepped away from SNL after eight seasons in early 2022. Sadly, as his career was elevating, the 29-year-old was forced to deal with an aggressive stalker who believed she was in a relationship with the star.
Michelle Mootreddy is the woman who has spent the past few years adamantly pursuing Davidson. She called herself his “wife” and in 2021, took things too far. Mootreddy snuck into the star’s Staten Island, New York home through a side door in an effort to see him. While he was not home, a relative of his was. The unstable woman initially knocked on the front door and was asked to leave. That is when she walked around and found an unlocked door. She let herself inside and when confronted by the woman occupant, Mootreddy reportedly told them Davidson asked her to stop by. She was charged with felony counts of second and third degree burglary. Additionally, Mootreddy was charged with two misdemeanor counts of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and harassment.
Pete Davidson Never Met The Woman
The Bodies Bodies Bodies actor has maintained that he does not know Mootreddy. However, the fixated fan maintained that she and Davidson had a “telepathic love connection.” Thankfully, he may be finally getting some relief from her intense hounding. On Tuesday, she was declared unfit to stand trial in her stalking case. A judge ordered the woman to a psychiatric facility. While there, she will undergo treatment and evaluations. According to the Staten Island District Attorney’s office, the goal is to determine whether or not she is equipped to possibly participate in trial at a later date.
Davidson is not the only celebrity who’s been a victim of relentless stalkers. Last year, Drake was granted a three-year restraining order against his deranged admirer. Davidson’s former girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, has also been followed by a relentless man who recently broke his temporary restraining order trying to access her. In February, he was arrested for violating the order after showing up at her Los Angeles home. Hopefully, Mootreddy gets the help she needs and stays far away from Pete Davidson.
One of four individuals charged in connection to Michael K. Williams’ tragic passing pleaded guilty to the charges. Moreover, Irvin Cartagena admitted to selling the acclaimed actor a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin in 2021, thus pleading guilty to narcotics conspiracy resulting in death. However, according to reports from The New York Times, Cartagena (also known as “Green Eyes”) took a guilty plea with a lesser sentence of 24 to 30 years behind bars. “I knew my actions were wrong and against the law,” Cartagena remarked through his Spanish interpreter to Judge Ronnie Abrams. “I am very sorry for my actions.”
Furthermore, the remaining three individuals charged in this case (Luis Cruz, Carlos Macci, and Hector Robles) face similar charges of selling fentanyl-laced narcotics as part of a drug operation. Allegedly, they sold drugs out of an apartment in the Brooklyn borough, the neighborhood where Williams was found dead in his apartment on September 6th, 2021. On one hand, authorities will examine Macci in July after he pleaded guilty to a narcotics conspiracy charge. On the other, both Cruz and Robles pleaded not guilty to these crimes.
Michael K. Williams’ Dealer Pleads Guilty
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: Actor Michael K. Williams attends “The Hate U Give” New York Screening at the Paris Theatre on October 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Sagliocco/WireImage)
Not only that, but the charges against these individuals line up with what medical officials ruled concerning the 54-year-old’s untimely loss. Moreover, a medical examiner found that a fatal mixture of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, cocaine, and heroin took his life. When authorities discovered his body, they also found drug paraphernalia and glassine bags with the tag, “AAA Insurance.” The Wire star’s tragic passing impacted millions of fans, his closest industry colleagues, and his family members in a cutting way. The actor’s nephew, Dominic Dupont, told The New York Times that Cartagena’s plea represents some form of closure, but not true reckoning.
“The reality is there are no winners here,” they expressed to the publication. “Michael was an amazing human being and to lose him is something that we’re still grappling with. The grieving process continues for myself and for my family.” Through his incredible work, his friends’ remembrance, and especially his family’s internal support, generations to come will know how much talent the entertainment world lost when he passed, and how he impacted his closest loved ones. Come back to HNHH for more updates on this story and share your favorite Michael K. Williams memories in the comments.
Donald Trump is the first former president in U.S. history to be charged with a crime. He arrived in New York on Monday (April 3) to appear in court on Tuesday, following his indictment by a Manhattan grand jury last week. A former president’s expected voluntary surrender will be a unique event in multiple ways. Earlier this week, one of Trump’s advisers described the MAGA leader’s mood as “defiant and focused” as he watched the coverage on a flight from Florida to New York. However, CNN reported that the former president has stayed “surprisingly calm.”
Additionally, Trump reportedly spent the weekend in Florida playing golf and thinking about using the indictment to help his campaign. The indictment was said to have caught him and his advisers “off guard.” Further, CNN reported that Trump faces more than 30 counts linked to corporate fraud, but the charges remain sealed. Since the 2016 presidential election, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has investigated the former president for his alleged role in a hush-money scheme. Here is what we know about the indictment.
Why Is Donald Trump Facing Charges?
TOPSHOT – Former US President Donald Trump makes his way inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse in New York on April 4, 2023. – Donald Trump will make an unprecedented appearance before a New York judge on April 4, 2023 to answer criminal charges that threaten to throw the 2024 White House race into turmoil. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s indictment reportedly included 34 first-degree felony counts of falsifying company records. Technically, the allegations derive from a payment made to Stormy Daniels during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign. This incident occurred when she attempted to sell her story regarding an affair with Trump. Daniels’s representatives initially approached The National Enquirer to offer exclusive rights to her story. However, David Pecker, the tabloid publisher and a longtime ally of Trump, agreed to watch for potentially damaging stories about him. At one point, he even agreed to purchase the story of another woman’s affair with Trump but never planned to publish it.
However, Pecker didn’t purchase Daniels’s story. Instead, he and the senior editor of the tabloid facilitated a separate transaction between Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, and Daniels’s counsel. Cohen reportedly paid $130,000, eventually reimbursed by Trump from the White House. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including federal campaign finance violations involving hush money. Federal prosecutors determined that the payment constituted an unlawful contribution to Trump’s campaign. Nevertheless, in the days after Mr. Cohen’s guilty plea, the D.A.’s office initiated its own criminal investigation. As federal prosecutors were investigating Cohen, the district attorney would investigate Trump.
Trump pled not guilty to 34 felony charges. The allegations result from an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who believes that Trump altered corporate documents to conceal harmful information from 2016 election voters. Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over the case, and set the next court date for December 4.
The prosecution wants the opening arguments to begin in January 2024. However, Trump’s defense has requested a few additional months, perhaps until Spring 2024. This occurs in the middle of the primary season, which could hamper the former president’s attempt for reelection. Nonetheless, the defense may make motions to delay the trial, including a request to move the venue out of Manhattan, where Trump lost the 2020 presidential election by an overwhelming margin.
The Former President’s Reactions
Former President Donald Trump defended himself before a crowd of supporters at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday night after he was arraigned in New York City https://t.co/zg2iTKj5NKpic.twitter.com/5xRCnHeh6z
Trump and his supporters blasted Democrat District Attorney Alvin Bragg and the grand jury’s decision as “the greatest level of Political Persecution and Election Interference.” The former president left the courthouse in a motorcade monitored by major cable news networks using aerial footage. Donald Trump’s 2024 election campaign began selling T-shirts featuring a fake mugshot for $47.
To conclude a full day of media coverage, Trump attacked the charges as political persecution at Mar-a-Lago. Trump stated, “I never imagined something like this would happen in America.” He added, “The only crime I’ve committed is boldly defending our country against those who wish to destroy it.” He downplayed the numerous investigations he is facing, stating that D.A. Bragg had “no case.” He also attacked the judge and his family as “Trump-hating” individuals.
— Yusef Abdus Salaam (@dr_yusefsalaam) April 5, 2023
A New York court confirmed that Trump’s arraignment would not be televised live. Judge Merchan denied requests from multiple media groups to broadcast Trump’s court sessions this week. However, the judge determined that five photographers may still capture Trump and the courtroom before the start of the hearing. Judge Merchan also acknowledged the historical significance of the hearing while rejecting the request to broadcast the arraignment.
“It cannot be argued that this indictment covers a topic of enormous importance,” he said. “A serving or former President of the United States has never been indicted on criminal charges. Mr. Trump’s arraignment has created unprecedented media and public interest. The populous craves the most accurate and up-to-date information available. To imply otherwise would be dishonest.”
Can Trump Still Run For President In 2024?
Certainly, the United States Constitution does not prohibit Trump from continuing his election campaign, notwithstanding his indictment. Theoretically, he could still run for president and win an election while incarcerated. Nevertheless, there are pragmatic concerns. A protracted court battle and trial will significantly disrupt a presidential campaign in terms of time, energy, and the scheduling of election rallies.
Jack Harlow is as wholesome as a rapper can get these days. Between pop-friendly radio records and his cheeky charisma, he kept out of trouble and maintained a rather clean reputation. Even so, Harlow’s found himself connected to troubling headlines in the past. A few years ago, a shooting at a nightclub in his hometown of Louisville, KY. Though Harlow had nothing to do with the fatal incident, his DJ, Ronnie O’Bannon turned himself into authorities in 2021.
O’Bannon was indicted on charges of murder and tampering with evidence in connection to 37-year-old Kasmira Nash’s death. However, he argued that he acted out of self-defense. The family filed a lawsuit against the Vibes Restaurant and Ultra Lounge, as well as its owners, for Nash’s death. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Nash’s son Kaleb and her mother, alleges that the nightclub didn’t take enough precautions. They claim the club allowed O’Bannon and his entourage, including Jack Harlow, to enter the club without any security checks, allowing him to bring the weapon inside. They now want compensation for damages, including funeral costs.
Jack Harlow Called For Deposition
CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 18: Jack Harlow attends the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend at Wolstein Center on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Though Jack Harlow wasn’t named in the lawsuit, he was summoned to provide sworn testimony. Per WLKY, Harlow has been scheduled to sit down for a deposition in the case. The rapper is among three individuals, including the owner, who has been called to provide their testimony. Harlow’s video deposition is scheduled for August 30th, 2023. Meanwhile, O’Bannon’s criminal case has been pushed back to October.
Following the shooting, Jack Harlow issued a statement on his Instagram Story where he shared his condolences for Nash and her family. “My heart breaks for Kasmira, her children, and everyone else touched by this tragic death,” he wrote after the fatal shooting. “I’ve been in touch with Kasmira’s family during this unimaginably painful time, and I’m grateful to them for keeping the lines of communication open. Nothing can reverse what happened. Too many lives have been changed forever. My life will remain committed to making Louisville a better place.“ We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding the case.
Shocking news is coming out of the tech world today as it was revealed that Cash App found Bob Lee was killed. According to NBC, the attack took place in San Francisco at around 2 AM on Tuesday morning. Moreover, it was revealed that San Francisco police were called to the scene as someone saw a man with stab wounds. Subsequently, they tended to the man before sending him off to the hospital. However, it was too late as the man eventually died from his wounds.
Although details on who the man was were scarce, it was eventually revealed that it was Bob Lee who had passed. For those who don’t know, Lee had founded Cash App. Additionally, he was a chief technology officer at Square but had since moved on to a new role. In fact, he was currently serving as the chief product officer at MobileCoin. For those not in the know, this is a cryptocurrency company that was trying to change the game.
Bob Lee Was 43
In this photo illustration a Cash App seen displayed on a smartphone with the Cash App logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
With Bob Lee passing away unexpectedly, those who knew him the best are speaking out. In a statement, the CEO of MobileCoin, Josh Goldbard, revealed how big of a loss this truly is. “Bob was a dynamo, a force of nature. Bob was the genuine article,” Goldbard said. “He was made for the world that is being born right now, he was a child of dreams, and whatever he imagined, no matter how crazy, he made real.” Clearly, Lee meant a lot to so many people.
As for the circumstances surrounding this attack, no one knows for sure what happened. The police are currently in the midst of investigating things. That said, it should also be noted that an arrest has yet to be made. Overall, this is a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates regarding this murder. We will always keep you informed of what’s going on.
Anyone who watchedLove & Hip Hop New York is familiar with Mendeecees and his wife Yandy Smith-Harris’s story. The pair became reality television icons when they first appeared in the franchise, albeit then, they were just dating. Their ups and downs were well-documented, but things took a turn when Mendeecees was sentenced to prison. Amid his fame on VH1, federal authorities locked in on Harris, charging him with drug trafficking. Later, Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
He began his eight-year sentence at the top of 2016, and by 2020, he was once again a free man. Mendeecees visited Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, where he reflected on engaging in street life. He also made a shocking admission when he shared that he once put his mother, Judy, “up for collateral.” Sharpe couldn’t believe it, but Mendeecees explained what happened.
Mendeecees Harris Didn’t Weigh The Seriousness Of His Decision
Judy Harris also starred in Love & Hip Hop alongside her son and daughter-in-law. She was known as a dedicated, yet often meddling mother who wanted the best for her son. “I was getting a bunch of keys, and they was like, ‘Well, you gotta show me where your mom live at, because if you run off on this, we can’t afford for you to run off,’” Harris recalled. “I had no intention of running off, so I was like, ‘I’ll show you.’”
Harris further stated that Judy didn’t know that occurred, and he never told anyone the story. He also informed Sharpe that because he never thought of scamming anyone, he wasn’t concerned about anything happening to his loved ones. Understandably, reactions to this revelation are still pouring in. The clip of the interview has been shared far and wide, and in each comment section, people are questioning how someone could add their mother’s name to their criminal activities.
Additionally, Mendeecees Harris declared he’s finished with that life, and is making better decisions for his family. “When I look back at the decisions I made now, I be like, “I can’t believe I’m still here.” The Club Shay Shay conversation is quite insightful, so watch more of the interview above.
Some fans would do anything to meet Megan Thee Stallion – including face felony charges for impersonating an officer. This past weekend, local barber Trayvone Lil Darus Stevenson did just that, dressing as a member of the K-9 unit last Friday (March 31) to catch the rap diva’s first performance of the year at the AT&T Block Party. According to ABC 13, the man successfully gained admission into the concert by telling the administration on-site that he was working as security for the sold-out event.
While he surely felt great about making it into the venue, Stevenson was ultimately arrested around 8 PM, before the object of his desire even began her performance. It seems the 28-year-old spent his weekend at the Harris County Jail. Now, he’s facing charges of impersonating a public servant. Attorneys working on the case claim that the accused “has no qualifications as any type of law enforcement officer.” It’s also worth noting that the barber didn’t bring a dog with him to the AT&T Block Party, despite choosing to dress in a K-9 unit vest.
Houston Barber Dresses as K-9 Officer to Meet Megan Thee Stallion
Yesterday (April 3), Stevenson was granted a $15,000 bond by the judge presiding over his antics, KHOU reported. Because he has no previous record, he was able to bond out following his hearing, court records reveal. Despite the relatively quick release, Prosecutor Mathew Jackson made it abundantly clear that “this is still a felony case,” and what the Houstonian hairstylist attempted to pull off is a serious breach of the law. “Megan Thee Stallion is a fantastic draw, big draw, especially here in Houston, but this is still a felony case. You cannot go and impersonate an officer to get into a concert venue,” he insisted.
The 28-year-old hasn’t responded to the situation herself, which is completely understandable seeing as she had the most jam-packed weekend we’ve seen in a minute. Aside from performing in her hometown for the first time in years, Thee Stallion also threw the first pitch at an Astros game in a curve-hugging all-white outfit a few days ago. On top of that, she also linked up with Shania Twain at the annual Country Music Awards, which you can read all about here. Make sure to check back later for more pop culture news updates.
