Jury deliberations to resume Monday in XXXTentacion killing

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP) – Jury deliberations for the trial of three men accused of killing rising rap star XXXTentacion during a 2018 robbery will resume Monday after the panel reached a verdict without a verdict on Thursday for a seventh day of deliberations .

The seven women and five men had asked Circuit Judge Michael Uson if they could take Friday off to attend to personal appointments, and the judge granted the request. Earlier on Thursday, jurors were asked to view the defendants’ social media accounts as well as GPS data or maps to calculate distances between points mentioned in the case. The judge rejected those requests, saying that the verdict should be based on the evidence presented during the trial.

Michael Boatwright, 28 and the accused shooter; Dedrick Williams, 26, and the accused ringleader and getaway driver; And Trayvon Newsom, 24, and the alleged second gunman, have been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty.

During the month-long trial, prosecutors tried to link the men to the shooting outside Riva Motorsports in suburban Fort Lauderdale through extensive surveillance video taken inside and outside the store, as well as cellphone video that they saw of $100 bills being sold. Took while flashing. Prosecutors also had testimony from a fourth person, Robert Allen, a former friend of the defendants, who said he had participated in the robbery. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year and awaits sentencing.

Defense attorneys tried to avoid life imprisonment by accusing Allen of being a liar. He also said prosecutors and detectives conducted a poor investigation, noting other possible suspects including Canadian rap star Drake – he and XXXTentacion had an online feud.

XXXTentacion, whose real name was Jahseh Onfroy, was a platinum-selling rising star who tackled issues including prejudice and depression in his lyrics. He also drew criticism over bad behavior and multiple arrests, including allegations that he severely beat and abused his girlfriend.