According to prosecutors, Michael Boatwright was one of the two gunmen who approached XXXTentacion’s car and fired the fatal shot.
On June 18th, 2018, the world was stunned to learn of the tragic murder of rapper XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy. He was approached by two armed men who robbed and shot him in broad daylight.
On June 20th, XXXTentacion was pronounced dead, leaving behind a massive fanbase and a legacy that will not be forgotten.
Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams And Trayvon Newsome- 3 Men Found Guilty Of Murdering Rapper XXXTentacion
For months, authorities worked tirelessly to solve the case, eventually arresting four suspects: Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams, Trayvon Newsome, and Robert Allen.
Allen was later released due to insufficient evidence, but Boatwright, Williams, and Newsome went to trial for their alleged roles in the murder. After a lengthy legal battle, the three men were found guilty of first-degree murder on November 2019.
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Michael Boatwright, a 22-year-old California native, was arrested on July 5th, 2018, after being found with a gun that was later linked to the murder of XXXTentacion. He was charged with first-degree murder, but he initially pleaded not guilty.
However, Boatwright changed his plea to guilty in exchange for a 25-year prison sentence. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Boatwright was one of the two gunmen who approached XXXTentacion in his car and fired the fatal shot.
Dedrick Williams, a 22-year-old Florida man, was the first suspect to be arrested concerning XXXTentacion’s murder. He was apprehended on June 20th, 2018, just two days after the shooting.
Williams was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon and pleaded not guilty to both charges. However, on December 11th, 2019, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.
Prosecutors claimed that Williams was the driver of the vehicle used in the robbery and murder. Trayvon Newsome, a 20-year-old Florida man, was the last suspect apprehended.
After being on the run for several weeks, he turned himself in on August 7th, 2018. Newsome was charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
However, on October 22nd, 2019, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors argued that Newsome was one of the two gunmen who approached XXXTentacion’s car and participated in the robbery and murder.
The murder of XXXTentacion was a senseless act of violence that shocked the music industry and fans worldwide. The rapper had a troubled past but became a voice for a generation of young people who felt marginalized and misunderstood.
His music spoke to those who experienced trauma and pain. While the verdicts against Boatwright, Williams, and Newsome brought some closure to the case, they also served as a reminder of the tragic consequences of violence.
The lives of these three men, who were all in their early twenties at the time of the murder, are forever altered. They will spend the rest of their lives in prison, paying the price for their actions on that fateful day.
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Society must ask itself what it can do to prevent young people from turning to violence in the first place and how to provide opportunities for rehabilitation and growth for those who have already committed crimes.
It’s also important to note the impact of XXXTentacion’s death on his fans and the music industry. The rapper had a massive following, particularly among young people, who looked up to him as a symbol of hope and inspiration.
His music touched on themes of pain, trauma, and overcoming adversity, resonating with a generation that often feels overlooked and marginalized.
