Drake & More Listed as Witnesses in XXXtentacion Murder Trial – Billboard

Defense attorneys for one of many 4 males charged with the 2018 homicide and theft of XXXtentacion have listed a handful of notable rappers and celebrities — together with Drake, Quavo, Offset, late Migos rapper Takeoff, Tekashi 6ix9ine and Joe Budden — as witnesses, based on courtroom paperwork.

The transfer stems from unsubstantiated Internet rumors that swirled following XXXtentacion’s demise, in reference to Drake’s 2017 beef over what the late artist believed to be a rip-off of his flows from breakout observe “Look at Me!” on the OVO rapper’s “KMT.” A 12 months after the drama, a narrative was posted to XXX’s Instagram web page that learn, “If anyone tries to kill me it was @champagnepapi,” tagging Drake’s Instagram deal with. XXXtentacion claimed his account was hacked and 4 months later, he was killed in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

At a Thursday (Dec. 15) listening to reported on by the Miami Herald, prosecutors referred to as the transfer a stunt and Broward Circuit Judge Michael Usan demanded solutions in writing as to why the superstars have been related. Prosecutors additionally famous that the protection didn’t present addresses the place the notable celebs might be served subpeonas, or any contact info. “It is apparent from the deliberate, late disclosure of the defendant’s witnesses and comments made between the parties that [the] defendant intended to ‘surprise’ the state and create a trial by ambush,” wrote prosecutor Pascale Achille, as reported by the Herald.

The amended witness record was submitted by Miami protection lawyer Mauricio Padilla, who’s representing 27-year-old Dedrick Williams, the alleged getaway driver. Padilla denied Achille’s claims, blaming delayed depositions.

“They are high-profile people. And it’s not easy for me to subpoena. I don’t have numbers, but it doesn’t mean I won’t be able to,” Padilla advised the choose. “Trying to subpoena Drake is not easy — you need a drone.”

The all-star rappers being listed as potential witnesses doesn’t imply they are going to be obligated to indicate as much as courtroom. Their look could be contingent upon Padilla proving relevance, which stays to be seen.

XXXtentacion was shot to demise on June 18, 2018, at age 20. Leaving Riva Motorsports Motorcycle & Marine Superstore, the late rapper was attacked by two armed males. After a quick battle, XXXtentacion was robbed and shot a number of occasions and later pronounced useless on the Broward Health North Hospital.