RIP XXXTentacion

XXXTENTACION Killers Guilty: Twitter Reacts

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The court found the three codefendants accused of murdering XXXTENTACION to be guilty of first-degree murder. Moreover, on Monday (March 20), the month-long trial concluded upon the decision of a South Florida jury. Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome also faced a guilty conviction for charges of armed robbery with a firearm. Afterwards, sheriff’s deputies immediately handcuffed them in the courtroom. Each of the three perpetrators now face mandatory life sentences, although an official sentencing hearing will take place on a later date. Given X’s massive reach and the highly publicized legacy of his life and death, it’s been a long road to get to this point, five years after his death.

However, another codefendant, Robert Allen, actually became a state’s witness against his co-perpetrators in August of 2022. During their trial, he testified against the three accused men and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Said confessions gave the court more context as to what the motivations and dynamic of the murder were. Also, they debunked theories that other rappers like Drake actually instigated the murder or were part of a planned-out hit.

XXXTENTACION Killers Found Guilty

Still, Allen’s fate is unclear at the moment regarding his sentence, although that could soon come to light. Unsurprisingly, many reacted positively to the verdict, whether with jubilance or with resigned sadness. While it’s fulfilling and satisfying to see justice served, it’s not exactly the most celebratory of occasions. After all, X’s years-long absence will always be felt more powerfully than his killers’ incarceration. Even considering that these men will remain behind bars for life doesn’t get at the massive crisis that rappers face today, as they’re targeted for their image, wealth, possessions, and to make a headline.

Since X’s death, far too many rappers were lost at the hands of those wanting to steal their success. The three guilty men in this trial later flaunted their money and appeared quite pleased with themselves in released footage to the court. As many fans, loved ones, and regular people react to the verdict, many also acknowledge that the real work to help protect hip-hop is still yet to be done. Regardless, check out reactions below and return to HNHH for the latest updates on this story.

Twitter Reacts To Verdict

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XXXTENTACION’s Family In Court Awaiting Verdict

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XXXTENTACION’s family attended court today (March 13) to await the verdict in the trial concerning his murder. Moreover, closing arguments began recently and it seems like the case is almost coming to a close after some more deliberation. While it’s unclear who exactly is present at court itself, surely many loved ones, whether close to X or just his fans, are waiting with similarly heavy hearts. Furthermore, this trial is starting to wrap up almost five full years after the Florida rapper passed away following an armed robbery outside a motorcycle shop. In the years since his passing, the pain of his loss hasn’t hampered his enduring legacy.

However, an update on the verdict should come sooner rather than later, given that jury deliberation began on Wednesday (March 8). Not only that, but the jury have reportedly deliberated for over 12 hours at this point over the fatal case. In fact, the jury asked the judge to show jurors text message evidence from the suspects’ phones. Specifically, their request relates to codefendants Michael Boatwright and Dedrick Williams. Jurors asked that they review texts, photos, videos, and screenshots shared between the day before the murder and the day of the murder.

XXXTENTACION Verdict Soon To Come, Family Awaits It At Court

Tragically, some of the “Look At Me!” rapper’s family, such as uncle Leonard Kerr, are all too familiar with his death. Kerr was actually with X at the time of the robbery. “We get in the car to drive out,” he recounted on the witness stand. “At the exit, when we pull out, we stop. [XXXTENTACION] looked to the left. I looked to the right. By the time [XXXTENTACION] looked to the left, I see a car coming down the block and blocked the entrance. After the car pulled by the entrance, two persons jump out the side doors. One come on Jahseh side, one come on the side that I’m on.” Later, he went on to describe how the suspects robbed him, he fled, heard gunshots behind him, and called X’s mother after he returned to the scene and found him unresponsive.

Meanwhile, the most recent development before jury deliberation was a newly shared video of the codefendants celebrating after their crimes. Moreover, the suspects allegedly celebrated with the cash that they took from X before taking his life. While this case is nothing if not marred in tragedy and callous cruelty, at least justice might be served soon. Considering that, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on the XXXTENTACION murder trial.

XXXTENTACION Murder Trial To Begin This Week

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Trial for the murder of XXXTENTACION is set to begin later this week, five years after the 2018 armed robbery that took his life. Furthermore, jury selection for the trial hasn’t finished, but NBC6 reported that trial will begin this week. Moreover, codefendants Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Devonshay Williams and Trayvon Newsome will stand trial.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: A view of a tribute to slain rapper XXXtentacion during day 2 of Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

However, a fourth codefendant Robert Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges in August of 2022. While he still faces a sentence, he’s expected to testify against the three colleagues to lighten it.

“[Allen] pleaded guilty to a lesser included offense of second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm,” said his attorney Jim Lewis. “He still faces a life sentence. Obviously, we are hoping for better than that. But his sentence is deferred and it is likely he will be called as a witness in the case against the other three co-defendants.”

Moreover, he said that “Mr. Allen’s role was much less than the other three involved. It was always kind of contemplated that the State was looking to use him as a witness in the case.”

Still, if convicted, all three codefendants face life behind bars. However, authorities believe that Boatwright fatally shot the “Moonlight” rapper in the Florida armed robbery. Afterwards, they escaped with $50,000 in a Louis Vuitton bag, which belonged to X.

Soon after the incident, officials arrested all four men and charged them with first-degree murder and armed robbery. When trial began taking shape, authorities named Drake, 6ix9ine, Joe Budden, and Quavo as potential witnesses in the Broward County trial.

Meanwhile, many fans believe that the 6 God is more involved than one might expect. For example, they had a brief clash after X accused Drake of biting his hi “Look At Me!” on his track “KMT.” Later, X wrote ” “If anyone tries to kill me it was [Drake]” on his story before claiming someone hacked him. While no evidence presented links Drake to the crime, lawyers believe him and other hip-hop figures could help this case.

Still, even the Canadian artist’s own music led fans to believe he had something to do with X’s death. Moreover, the song “Mob Ties” caught the eyes of many for apparent allusions to the incident. “Louis bags in exchange for body bags,” he raps on the song.

However, what do you think of XXXTENTACION’s murder trial set to begin later this week? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for the latest updates on this story.

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