Canadian rapper Drake will probable be deposed by defense lawyers in the South Florida murder demo of of the suspects in the 2018 killing of fellow rapper XXXTentacion.
Drake, whose genuine title is Aubrey Graham, is envisioned to attend a virtual deposition on Friday, Feb. 24, according to Broward County court docket records launched Wednesday.
Drake was among a group of hip hop stars who were detailed as possible protection witnesses for the fatal taking pictures of XXXTentacion, whose authentic identify was Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, on June 18, 2018.
An attorney symbolizing Drake was in the courtroom Monday arguing the rapper did not require to give a deposition in the 2018 murder demo of XXXTentacion. NBC 6’s Marissa Bagg studies
An legal professional for Dedrick Williams, just one of the defendants accused in the killing of XXXTentacion, had tried to get Drake to show up at a deposition pre-trial, some thing the “Wonderful for What” rapper avoided. Protection lawyer Mauricio Padilla cited an Instagram publish from XXXTentacion in which he claimed, “If everyone tries to get rid of me it was @champagnepapi [Drake]. I’m snitching RN.” Having said that, the submit was immediately deleted and XXXTentacion later retracted that, boasting his account experienced been hacked.
Throughout opening statements in the demo, Williams’ legal professional posed a concept that the shooting could have been fueled by a feud in between XXXTentacion and Drake, and criticized law enforcement for not investigating that risk. Prosecutors named the tactic a “Hail Mary” try at generating a fair double about who was behind the murder.
Lawyers for Drake were being in courtroom Monday to argue versus the rapper providing a deposition.
“At this point, I assume you have a corroborating witness who corroborates that Mr. Graham has nothing at all to do with this scenario,” stated Brad Cohen, 1 of Drake’s lawyers. “Mr. Graham is not detailed in any report, Mr. Graham, I don’t believe, has been talked over in anyway in this situation to my know-how other than rumor and innuendo.”
The judge dominated that Drake can be deposed, but claimed the protection had to post yet another subpoena to do so.
Week two of the demo was underway for three males accused of fatally capturing XXXTentacion.
Prosecutors showed photos posted to social media of the suspects flashing funds soon after rapper XXXTentacion was killed. NBC 6’s Marissa Bagg experiences
The rapper was inside of his BMW sporting activities auto, which had been blocked by an SUV as he pulled out of the Riva Motorsports’ parking whole lot in close proximity to Fort Lauderdale, when he was shot and killed in the course of what authorities said was a robbery.
Michael Boatwright, 28, is accused of staying the shooter, though his buddy, Trayon Newsome, 24, is accused of being the other gunman. Williams, 26, is accused of staying the driver.
Broward Sheriff’s Business office
They could all obtain lifetime sentences if convicted of initially-degree murder. A fourth person who prosecutors say was in the SUV, 26-calendar year-aged Robert Allen, pleaded guilty very last 12 months to 2nd-degree murder and testified versus the other a few suspects.
