Updated on Sept. 24, 2024 at 9:45a.m. ET (Two murder suspects have now been sentenced to prison)
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The family of Philadelphia rap artist PnB Rock finally received justice two years after his untimely death. A 42-year-old father was found guilty of murder and sentenced after he sent his 17-year-old son to rob the rapper at a Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles.
Back in August, a jury found Freddie Lee Trone guilty on one count of murder, two counts of robbery, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. On Monday (Sept. 23) Trone was finally sentenced to 31 years to life behind bars for the crime.
The DA’s office also reported a second defendant, Tremont Jones, was also found guilty on two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. Security footage puts Jones at the scene. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
During the two week trial leading up to the guilty verdicts, both sides admitted the teenager robbed Rock for his jewelry before shooting him in front of his family, per AP News. Although the defendant argued Trone only acted as an accessory to murder after the fact, the jury also held him responsible for sending his son to commit the crime.
In September 2022, the then 17-year-old walked into the Los Angeles restaurant wearing a ski mask. He approached Rock— real name Rakim Hasheem Allen— his girlfriend, and their now 4-year-old daughter before demanding Allen’s jewelry, according to BBC. After shooting him multiple times, the teen then stole some of Allen’s jewelry from his body before hopping into a getaway car driven by his father. The rapper was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Trone’s son is now 19, but due to his minor status when the murder was committed, his identity has not been released, and he is currently held at a juvenile detention facility. According to the DA’s office, he is scheduled for a status conference on Oct. 2.
“Today, justice has been served with the sentencing of two men for the tragic and senseless murder of Rakim Hasheem Allen, also known to many as the talented rap artist PnB Rock,” said District Attorney George Gascón following the sentencing. “I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Rakim Allen. His life was cut short by an act of violence that no family should have to endure.”
He continued, “I also want to commend the tireless efforts of our Community Violence Reduction Division. Their dedication to this case demonstrates the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the community in reducing violence and bringing perpetrators to justice.”
Shauntel Trone, the teen’s step-mother, pleaded no contest in connection with the “Selfish” rapper’s death. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 16, 2025, per the DA’s office.
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