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Three men on trial for the murder of rapper XXXTentacion have been found guilty by a Florida jury. The men, aged 27, 26 and 24, were charged with first-degree murder. The three face life imprisonment. The penalty will be determined later.
Rapper XXXTentacion, real name Jahseh Onfroy, was shot dead in Florida in June 2018. The 20-year-old rapper was walking out of a motorcycle shop when he was approached by two armed masked men.
It turned into a struggle, with at least one of the men shooting XXXTentacion. The whole incident lasted about 45 seconds. The suspects then grabbed a bag full of $50,000 in cash that the rapper had just picked up from the bank and then fled in an SUV.
No DNA evidence
Testimony was given against the three suspects by a fourth man, who had also pleaded guilty in the case. But lawyers for the trio said the fourth man was lying.
They also pointed out that there was no DNA evidence against the three. The lead prosecutor pointed out that the lack thereof was irrelevant, as cell phone records show that the three suspects were together near the motorcycle shop at the time of the rapper’s death.
There was also Bluetooth data showing that the suspects were currently in the SUV used by the shooters.
In addition, surveillance videos from the motorcycle shop were added as evidence, as well as cell phone videos allegedly taken by the suspects hours after the murder. It shows them waving a handful of $100 bills.
Sad!
XXXTentacion broke through a year before his death. His songs dealt with themes such as depression, loneliness, abandonment and suicide.
The album ? that he released in 2018 immediately landed in first place in the American album top 200. The number Sad! that record was a big hit. After his death, the single broke several records, including the record for most streams in one day on Spotify.
Domestic violence
The rapper was certainly not undisputed. He was suspected of several cases of domestic violence. Fifteen charges were pending against him, including violence against a pregnant woman, taking hostage and influencing witnesses.
His ex accused him of structural violence against her. In October 2016, while pregnant, she said she was beaten, strangled and kicked, including to the head.
