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| Freddie Lee Trone |
Trone was found guilty on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. The case stems from the fatal shooting of PnB Rock, whose real name was Rakim Hasheem Allen, at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles on Sept. 12, 2022.
PnB Rock’s mom Deannea Allen reacting to guilty verdicts against 2 men charged in connection with her son’s murder:
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) August 7, 2024
“I’m feeling elated,” she tells RS. “Justice has been served” pic.twitter.com/EcGQYGyEoK
The 30-year-old Philadelphia-born rapper, known for hits like "Selfish," was dining with his girlfriend when the masked teenager entered the restaurant, demanded Allen's jewelry, and opened fire. The assailant fled the scene in a waiting getaway car, which prosecutors alleged was driven by Trone.
The prosecution argued that Trone was the mastermind behind the robbery, directing his son to target Allen for his valuable jewelry. Deputy District Attorney Timothy Richardson told jurors that Trone's motive was rooted in greed, describing the plan as a "coordinated act" to steal nearly half a million dollars' worth of jewelry. Richardson emphasized that a non-shooter can still be held accountable for felony murder if they are a "major participant" who acts with "reckless indifference to human life."
Just in from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office:
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) August 7, 2024
“Freddie Lee Trone Convicted in Murder of Rap Artist PnB Rock in South Los Angeles in 2022” pic.twitter.com/w3IPeP2nZq
During the two-week trial, Trone's defense team contended that he was merely an accessory after the fact, denying any involvement in planning the murder. Trone took the stand in his own defense, vehemently denying any role in the killing. "I never had nothing to do with it," he testified. "I wasn't there. I didn't tell nobody to do nothing."
Despite the defense's arguments, the jury found Trone guilty on all counts. The verdict followed approximately four hours of deliberation.
Trone's son, who was 17 at the time of the shooting and is now 19, has also been charged with murder and robbery. However, he has not been found competent to stand trial and remains in the custody of the juvenile system.
A third man, Tremont Jones, was also implicated in the case. He was found guilty on two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery but was not charged with murder. Jones and Trone are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 27.
After the verdict, Trone's attorney, Winston McKesson, announced plans to file a motion for a new trial, arguing that there was no evidence Trone conspired to commit murder. "There's no evidence there was a conversation about a gun or that he told his son to shoot the guy," McKesson told reporters.
PnB Rock’s fiancée Stephanie Sibounheuang gave harrowing testimony Tues. at trial over his 2022 murder
— Nancy Dillon (@Nancy__Dillon) July 30, 2024
Outside court, Sibounheuang called PnB Rock “heroic” for pushing her under table after shooter threatened to “blow her head off”
Rolling Stone was only outlet in the courtroom pic.twitter.com/DwpwAS4PhN
The conviction brings some closure to the family of PnB Rock, whose death sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community. Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón praised the jury's decision, stating, "Justice has been served for Mr. Allen and his family who have endured unimaginable pain losing a loved one to such senseless violence."
PnB Rock, who rose to fame with his 2016 hit "Selfish" and collaborations with artists like Ed Sheeran and YFN Lucci, was remembered by fans and fellow musicians after his tragic death. His girlfriend, Stephanie Sibounheuang, later revealed that Allen had saved her life during the shooting. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she described the ordeal and expressed the deep void left by his absence. "My world is dark now. My heart is broken for the kids," she wrote.
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