Lawyers for the men accused of murdering XXXTentacion have suggested that Drake was involved in the rapper’s death.
Suspects Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, and Dedrick Williams have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a deadly shooting outside a Florida motorcycle shop in 2018.
During the trial’s opening statements on Tuesday, the defendants’ attorneys argued that there were others, including Drake, who had motives for killing the rapper.
“Before X died, he said, ‘If anyone kills me, it’s Drake,'” Williams’ attorney Mauricio Padilla said. “Do you think sitting here years later, any detective has ever asked Drake or anybody like that? No.”
Defense Attorneys in XXXTentacion’s trial blames Drake for the killing pic.twitter.com/IUSVqKdft4
— No Jumper (@nojumper) February 8, 2023
XXXTentacion once said on social media that if he died, Drake would be the reason.
“IF ANYONE TRYED TO KILL ME, IT WAS @champagnepapi IM SNITCHING RN,” X wrote on Instagram.
X and Drake had a history of feuding, with X accusing Drake of stealing his flow. “I’m not the first nor will I be the last ni**a he bit, drake a pussy ni**a money don’t buy you respect,” X tweeted in February 2017, claiming Drake’s career was “almost over.”
Despite the implausible theory, prosecutors say the shooting was the result of a botched robbery, and there is no evidence linking Drake to X’s death.
On June 18, 2018, XXXTentacion, real name Jahseh Onfroy, was leaving Riva Motorsports in Fort Lauderdale when his BMW was hit by an SUV.
Two masked gunmen approached him and demanded money before shooting him. They made off with $50,000 in cash from X’s Louis Vuitton bag. Shortly after, the 20-year-old rapper died in the hospital.
All three suspects face life in prison if they are convicted of first-degree murder. They are also accused of armed robbery. Robert Allen, a fourth man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last year, is expected to testify against the other three.
