Lawyer: DNA Proves XXXTentacion’s Alleged Killer’s Innocence

FLORIDA’S FORT LAUDERDALE DNA – The lawyer for the man accused of killing rap artist XXXTentacion during a robbery outside a Florida motorcycle store in 2018 said in court on Wednesday that genetic evidence exonerated his client and the other man.

Attorney Joseph Kimok gave the final defense closing argument in the trial of three men accused of first-degree murder, saying that while the artist struggled with his killers before being shot and DNA was found on the body and a stolen necklace, it wasn’t from his client, 28-year-old Michael Boatwright. Trayvon Newsome, the alleged second gunman, is only 24 years old, while Dedrick Williams, the alleged getaway driver and ringleader, is 26.

“Whatever (XXXTentacion) struggled with is not in this courtroom,” Kimok told jurors as the four-week trial concluded. “The DNA shows that someone other than Trayvon Newsome or Michael Boatwright engaged in this crime,”

Robert Allen, a fourth man, admitted guilt to second-degree murder last year and testified against his former friends. He is lying about his client’s participation in the slaying and robbery, which netted $50,000, according to the attorneys for all three men. They claim that the investigation was mishandled by the Broward County sheriff’s detectives, who ignored other potential suspects like Canadian rapper Drake, with whom XXXTentacion had an online fight DNA.

In her rebuttal speech on Wednesday, lead prosecutor Pascale Achille acknowledged that although Allen is not a perfect witness and has prior criminal convictions, murder co-conspirators rarely are.

the artist struggled with his killers before being shot, and DNA was found on the body and a stolen

She remarked, “Plans made in the hell do not have angels as witnesses.

Achille claimed that although the pistols, masks, and money were never located by authorities, only Williams was detained quickly after the shooting, allowing the other suspects plenty of time to conceal evidence. The fact that there is no DNA evidence connecting the defendants to the murder, according to her, is irrelevant and should not disqualify them.

During her main closing argument on Tuesday, Montero exhibited security footage from the motorcycle shop and other locations, claiming that it supports Allen’s account. She then aired footage from the defendants’ allegedly stolen cellphones, where they can be seen dancing and grinning while holding up $100 cash.

After Circuit Judge Michael Usan has briefed the jury on the law, the jury will begin deliberating later on Wednesday or early Thursday. Boatwright, Williams, and Newsome would be sentenced to life in prison if found guilty with DNA. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty.

XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy.

On June 18, 2018, XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, had just left Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale with a companion when an SUV swerved in front and obstructed their path.

Two masked shooters confronted the 20-year-old rapper at the driver’s window DNA, and after a 45-second fight, one of them repeatedly shot him, according to surveillance footage. They then took the $50,000 that XXXTentacion had just withdrawn from the bank in a Louis Vuitton bag. Then they returned to the SUV and accelerated. The companion suffered no harm.

According to the prosecution, Allen, the three defendants, and Williams proceeded to the motorcycle store to purchase a mask before setting out that day to execute robberies. They decided to make the rapper their target after seeing him there.

According to the prosecution, Allen and Williams allegedly entered the motorbike store to ensure it was him. Prosecutors claim that they returned to the Car they had leased, waited for XXXTentacion to emerge, and ambushed him.

The platinum-selling rising star rapper, pronounced “Ex-ex ex ten-ta-see-YAWN,” addressed problems including discrimination and sadness in his lyrics. He received flak for his bad behavior and several arrests, including allegations that he brutally battered and mistreated his partner.

SOURCE – (AP)