XXXTENTACION‘s fourth and final murder suspect has received a reduced sentence after testifying against his co-defendants.
According to the Miami Herald, 27-year-old Robert Allen will be in prison for around two years after taking a deal in exchange for being a key witness for the prosecution during the trial.
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Broward Circuit Judge Michael A. Usan sentenced Allen to seven years in state prison on Wednesday (May 17), taking off five of the years he’s already served during the length of the trial. Allen was also given 20 years of probation.
“No sentencing is easy, and this one is hard,” Usan said. “I genuinely believe you are sorry for what you have done and not sorry for yourself.”
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Allen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed robbery in August, while agreeing to turn on his co-defendents, Michael Boatwright, Dedrick Williams and Trayvon Newsome.
In March, the jury found them guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon, with Boatwright, Williams and Newsome each given two life sentences with no chance of parole or early release.
XXXTENTACION was killed during a robbery in Deerfield Beach, Florida in 2018. The rapper’s family attended the sentencing on Wednesday, with his aunt Deandra Ellis stating they were satisfied with the outcome.
“I say we are content as far as what the judge threw out for the sentencing,” Ellis said. “We still have a long road ahead of us. It’s still a day by day process for us. Everyday is just another day that he’s missing.”
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Prosecutor Pascale Achille called Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives and a Multi-Agency Gang Task Force member to the stand to testify that Allen’s life would be in danger for providing information against gang members.
Boatwright and Williams were affiliated with South Florida-based gang ZMF, according to the witnesses.
Gang unit member Danny Polo said ZMF was established between 2010 and 2013 as a way for prisoners to defend themselves inside North Florida prisons where South Florida gangs weren’t as prominent.
The prosecution and Allen’s defense attorney, Jim Lewis, suggested 20 years of probation with no time in prison, with Allen also pleading for a lesser sentence.
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“If I have to die in prison then so be it – I know the risk I was taking,” Allen told the judge. “Let justice be served and I’ll know that was the right thing to do… please forgive me.”
Lewis believes Allen could have recived a life sentence, with the court also taking into consideration the “great risk” he made by admitting his gang involvement and how XXXTENTACION’s murder unfolded.
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“He’s a dead man,” Lewis said. “He’s been marked by that gang for death and there will be a bounty placed on his head that hopefully will never be collected.”
