The murder trial of the late rapper XXXTentacion has begun, and the prosecution has provided a detailed account of the brutal killing. The article summarizes the content of the trial according to its title, presenting an English article within 400 words that maintains the main idea.
The murder trial of XXXTentacion, a popular rapper who was killed in June 2018, has started, with the prosecution presenting a graphic account of the brutal killing.
XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was shot to death during an alleged robbery in South Florida.
On Monday, the prosecution described the events leading up to the rapper's death in court. According to the prosecutor, Michael Sherwin, the defendants - Dedrick Williams, Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Robert Allen - planned the robbery, targeting XXXTentacion for his expensive jewelry.
The prosecution argued that the defendants were seeking financial gain and that the crime escalated when XXXTentacion resisted the robbery attempt.
Sherwin stated that Williams and Boatwright approached the rapper's vehicle while armed with handguns. He detailed the violence that ensued, describing how one of the gunmen fired at XXXTentacion, hitting him in the neck. The rapper tried to escape by running, but he was chased down and shot multiple times.
Sherwin emphasized the "savage" and "cold-blooded" nature of the killing, asserting that XXXTentacion's murder was not accidental but intentional.
The prosecution also presented surveillance footage and recordings of phone calls that allegedly connect the defendants to the crime. They argued that the evidence establishes the defendants' awareness and participation in the planning and execution of the robbery and subsequent murder.
The defense attorneys, however, questioned the credibility of the witnesses and the evidence presented. They argued that their clients were not directly involved in the robbery or the shooting and claimed that the prosecution's case relied heavily on testimonies from individuals with questionable motives.
The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with the prosecution calling witnesses and presenting further evidence to support their case against the four defendants.
If found guilty, they could face life sentences without the possibility of parole.
The murder of XXXTentacion shocked the music industry and his fans worldwide. As the trial unfolds, the prosecutor's detailed account of the brutal killing provides new insights into the tragic events that took the life of one of rap's rising stars.