A Los Angeles jury convicted 42-year-old Freddie Trone on Wednesday for orchestrating the murder of rapper PnB Rock by sending his 17-year-old son to carry out the crime.
Trone faced multiple charges, including murder, two counts of second-degree robbery, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
The incident, which shocked the music community, occurred in September 2022.
PnB Rock, a Philadelphia-based hip-hop artist, was dining at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, the mother of his four-year-old child, when a teen wearing a ski mask entered the restaurant.
The teen demanded the rapper’s jewelry before opening fire. Police reported that after taking items from the victim, the teen fled in a getaway car driven by Trone, according to local media.
PnB Rock sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at a local hospital within an hour.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that the teen acted on his father’s orders. In contrast, Trone’s defense claimed he was merely an accessory after the fact.
The teen, now 19, was also arrested on murder and robbery charges but has yet to be deemed competent to stand trial.
Another man, Tremont Jones, was also charged in the case. He was found guilty of two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
Both Jones and Trone are scheduled for sentencing on August 27.
Deputy District Attorney Timothy Richardson told jurors that Trone coordinated the act to steal about “half a million dollars worth of jewelry.”
Prosecutors detailed that Jones had spotted the rapper at the restaurant and informed Trone of the jewelry he was wearing, as reported by Fox 11 in Los Angeles.
Trone’s defense argued that he was not present during the crime and never instructed his son or anyone else to commit the act.
His attorney suggested that the prosecution had targeted the wrong person, and racial bias influenced the conviction, according to Fox 11.
After the verdict, District Attorney Gascón stated, “Justice has been served for Mr. Allen and his family who have endured unimaginable pain losing a loved one to such senseless violence.”
He emphasized that the office would continue to pursue justice relentlessly for community safety.
Stephanie Sibounheuang, PnB Rock’s girlfriend, credited the rapper with saving her life during the incident.
In an emotional Instagram post, she recounted the traumatic experience, including being unable to accompany him in the ambulance and being forced out of the restaurant during the police investigation.
“I feel so empty,” she wrote. “My world is dark now. My heart is broken for the kids.”
PnB Rock, born Rakim Hasheem Allen in Philadelphia in 1991, gained fame with his 2016 hit “Selfish” and collaborated with artists like Ed Sheeran.
Tributes from fellow musicians, including Drake and Nicki Minaj, poured in after his death. Rapper Offset urged followers to pray for PnB’s children, highlighting the tragedy’s impact on his family.
PnB Rock released two studio albums, “Catch These Vibes” and “TrapStar Turnt PopStar,” and his final song, “Luv Me Again,” just two days before the fatal shooting.
Source-BBC
