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
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 6, 2023
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.
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