Three men were found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery in the 2018 killing of rapper XXXTentacion, who was shot outside a South Florida motorcycle shop while being robbed of $50,000.
The defendants, Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, and Trayvon Newsome, were convicted by a jury that reached a verdict less than an hour after beginning its eighth day of deliberations.
The sentencing is set for April 6, 20223, and Florida law dictates a life sentence for first-degree murder convictions, so the sentencing is expected to be a formality.
The defendants, who showed little emotion, were handcuffed by a bailiff as they were taken away.
The judge warned anyone who caused disruption would be held in contempt of court. The Broward State Attorney’s Office thanked the jurors and prosecutors but said it would not comment further until the sentencing.
Williams’ lawyer, Mauricio Padilla, felt his client was not given a fair trial, saying that a crucial defense witness was stricken, and he was not allowed to depose a key witness.