XXXTentacion killing: Three men found guilty of murder of US rapper in 2018

XXXTentacion's real name was Jahseh Onfroy. Credit: AP

Three men have been found guilty of the murder of US rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot outside a South Florida motorcycle shop in 2018. Michael Boatwright, 28, Dedrick Williams, 26, and Trayvon Newsome, 24, were all found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery by a jury that deliberated a little more than seven days. They will receive mandatory life sentences at a later date.

During the monthlong trial, prosecutors linked the men to the June 18 shooting five years ago outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale with the help of extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store.

The photographs show, from left, Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome. Credit: Broward County Sheriff's Office via AP

Prosecutors also had the testimony of a fourth man, Robert Allen, a former friend of the defendants who said he participated in the robbery.

He pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder. Allen has not been sentenced pending the conclusion of this trial.

Defence attorneys accused Allen of being a liar motivated by avoiding a life sentence. They also said prosecutors and detectives did a poor investigation that didn’t look at other possible suspects.

Before the shooting, XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, had just left Riva Motorsports with a friend when his BMW was blocked by an SUV that swerved in front. Surveillance video showed two masked gunmen emerging and confronting the 20-year-old artist at the driver’s window, and one shot him repeatedly.

They then grabbed a Louis Vuitton bag containing cash XXXTentacion had just withdrawn from the bank, got back into the SUV and sped away. The friend was not harmed.

XXXTentacion places $50,000 he withdrew from his account in a Louis Vuitton bag at a Bank of America branch, on June 18, 2018. Credit: Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool

Newsome was accused of being the other gunman. Williams was accused of being the driver of the SUV, with Allen also inside. Allen testified that the men set out that day to commit robberies and went to the motorcycle shop to buy Williams a mask. There they spotted the rapper and decided to make him their target, it was claimed.

Allen and Williams went inside the shop to confirm it was him. They then went back to the SUV they had rented, waited for XXXTentacion to emerge and ambushed him, according to testimony.

XXXTentacion was a platinum-selling rising star who tackled issues including prejudice and depression in his songs.

He also drew criticism over multiple arrests, including charges that he severely beat and abused his girlfriend.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know