XXXTentatcion murder trial witness, Robert Allen under oath on Feb. 13 said he lied in previous statements to detectives. Allen is one of the four men that ambushed the late rapper at Riva Motorsport in June 2018. Allen pleaded guilty in August 2022.
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Under oath, Allen admitted he wasn’t forthcoming during initial questioning. He confessed that he lied about the money, guns, and chain snatching.
“I tried to make it seem like I didn’t know nothing…I was basically just telling [detectives]what Dedrick [Williams] told me. I was just trying to avoid putting myself under, at the time.”
Honorable Judge Michael Usan released the jury for the day, court and counsel would return at 3:30 p.m. EST for Motions.
Canadian rapper Drake filed a motion, on Feb. 13, to get out of a deposition in the murder trial, according to TMZ reports. This follows Judge Usan’s order to appear on Zoom on Feb. 24 to answer questions after allegedly skipping a deposition on Jan. 27.
If Drizzy misses the next deposition date, he must appear inside Broward County’s 17th Judicial Circuit Court on Feb. 27 for Judge Usan to determine whether he should be held in contempt of court.
Florida prosecutors said XXXtentacion murder defendant Trayvon Newsome yelled at the confessed assailant, Robert Allen, while in holding cells before the court. A Broward sheriff reported the witness intimidation.
Prosecutors said co-defendant Trayvon Newsome yelled slurs and attempted to intimidate Robert Allen, the state witness who has implicated three other men in the robbery and murder of XXXTentacion. The alleged witness tampering was confirmed by Broward Deputy David Alvarez who testified that Newsome yelled at Allen while the two men were being transported to court that same day.
“What we can hear is,” Alvarez testified. “Mr. Newsome yell out ‘there he is, working with the police, the po-po,’ also said ‘you’re working with the White man now.”
Prosecutor, Pascale Achille, pointed out to the court that Allen was a material witness getting intimidated by Newsome in the midst of testimony proceedings.
Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August 2022. He took the stand for the first time on Feb. 9 to testify against co-defendants, Newsome, Michael Boatwright, and Dedrick Williams. All four men are accused of participating in the June 18, 2018 killing of XXXTentacion.
“I think it’s a clear attempt for him to try and change the witness’ testimony,” Achille said. “to try and change the outcome of this case.”
During Achille’s cross-examination with Allen, she also asked him to detail the events leading up to the late rapper, XXXTentacion’s death.
The surveillance video of the incident was presented in court while Pascale asked Allen questions and narration as it played.
Pascale also asked him to confirm what he and the other defendants that allegedly killed X, what they looked like, what they changed into, and the communication they had throughout the day, leading up to X’s murder.
The trial for the murder of XXXTentacion is underway, and prosecutors have made their opening statements. The accused killers were present in court as opening statements were being made before trial.
Updated By: Chris Samuel (2/7/23 at 5:22 pm)
Opening statements by the prosecutor and lawyers were presented at trial for the murder of the late rapper, XXXTentacion, who was shot and killed in June 2018.
The trial’s prosecutor, Pascale Achille, read her opening statements. She detailed how defendants Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome coordinated the robbery and murder of XXXTentacion.
Achille described the day of the murder. She detailed that XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was with friends looking to purchase a motorcycle.
She told the jurors the defendants set out to purposely commit robbery and murder on June 18, 2018, at Riva Motorsports in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
In the opening statement from Achille, she described the aftermath of the murder, with the defendants flashing money and other stolen belongings of the slain rapper.
“They go on social media and start bragging that they have this influx of cash,” Achille said. “They flash it like it’s Christmas Day.”
Achille used examples of surveillance videos, cell phone locations, and social media photos that would all be listed as evidence to justify each defendant found guilty.
Achille listed several witnesses that she would use to identify who shot XXX and what transpired before and after the robbery.
Boatwright’s lawyer, Joseph Kimok, defended his client in his opening statement and claimed his innocence after Achille spoke.
“Michael Boatwright is not guilty,” Kimok said. “The police in 2018 arrested the wrong guy. “
The fourth defendant, Robert Allen, was not present in court during opening statements.
Allen has already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. He will be sentenced on Feb. 23.
Witnesses in the trial could include rappers Drake, Tekashi 6ix9ine, 600 Breezy, Offset, and Quavo.
As the trial slowly begins for the murder of Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, known professionally as XXXTentacion, here are five things to know to get up to speed. Opening statements for the trial have also officially begun.
After jury selection lasted over three weeks, opening statements began Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 10:45 am. Stay tuned as SOHH will be providing non-stop updates.
Jury selection continued for the murder trial of XXXTentacion. Opening statements were expected to take place the week of Monday, Feb. 6.
3 On Their Way To Trial
The following three out of four suspects, Dedrick Williams (26), Trayvon Newsome (24), and Michael Boatwright (28), will be facing trial for the murder of the late rapper XXXTentacion. All three men, also charged with armed robbery, could receive life sentences if convicted of first-degree murder.
Last August, Robert Allen (26) was the only suspect to plead guilty to second-degree murder. According to investigators, surveillance video and other evidence link the defendants to the killing.
Judge Rules On Gang Expert
Just before jury selection, the defense attempted to have Jesse De La Cruz, a former gang leader, and convicted felon, testify. De La Cruz, initiated at 13, was a member of two street gangs before changing his life and earning a doctorate on how gangs exert social control in communities.
“The gangs you have in Florida, that are like the Crips or the Bloods, are originally from California, so they have the same characteristics, the same nuances, as the ones over there,” De La Cruz said. The judge later ruled that the gang expert would not be allowed.
Witnesses In XXXTentacion’s Murder Trial
Due to a substantial amount of swirling internet rumors, several rappers have been named as witnesses in the murder case of the late Florida rapper. The rappers on the witness list include chart-topping rapper Drake, with whom X had an ongoing feud—and others, including Chicago rapper 600 Breezy, Tekashi 6ix9ine, and Migos members: Quavo, Offset, and late artist Takeoff, who passed away in November.
According to Billboard, the witness list was originally submitted by Miami defense attorney Mauricio Padilla, who also represents Dedrick Williams–the alleged getaway driver. However, the superstar rappers are not obligated to appear in court.
Arrests Made For The Murder Of XXXTentacion
In July 2018, A Florida grand jury indicted the four men on first-degree murder and armed robbery charges in the fatal shooting of the “HOPE” rapper.
Dedrick Williams and Robert Allen were seen on surveillance cameras where the late rapper was shopping. A store clerk claimed he witnessed Williams purchasing a black neoprene mask and recognized him as a repeat customer.
According to Miami Police, Williams was arrested during a traffic stop in Pompano Beach two days after XXXTentacion’s murder, and Michael Boatwright was arrested for unrelated drug charges shortly after.
Allen, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, was tracked and arrested by U.S. Marshals in Macon, Georgia. Seven weeks after the shooting, Trayvon Newsome, also identified as the second gunman, surrendered to authorities.
XXXTentacion Shot And Killed
Authorities stated XXXTentacion was leaving Riva Motorsports in Deerfield Beach, FL, with a friend when an SUV blocked his BMW on June 18, 2018. Two masked gunmen then approached the driver’s window, where one shot XXX and grabbed the late rapper’s Louis Vuitton bag containing $50K before speeding away.
The Miami Herald reported XXX had previously stopped at Bank of America and withdrew the $50K in 100 dollar bills. In addition, Boatwright is believed to have been the suspect who pulled the trigger, resulting in the rapper’s death.
