Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, also known as Ksoo, is currently on trial for the murder of Charles McCormick. The defense is now presenting their remaining witnesses.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Day six in the trial of Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, known as Ksoo, continues Wednesday.
Robinson, 26, and Leroy Whitaker, 24, are on trial together for the January 2020 murder of Charles McCormick; however, both men have separate juries.
McCormick was shot to death Jan. 15, 2020, in a shopping center on Merrill Road.
Prosecutors in their opening statements described the murder as “personal,” asserting that McCormick’s “diss track,” which mentioned Robinson’s deceased brother Willie Addison, was the motive behind the crime.
Robinson’s lawyers, Tara Kawass and Christopher DeCoste, have highlighted inconsistencies between Robinson’s appearance and the individual captured on dashcam footage committing the murder.
On Tuesday, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Christopher Smith, the case’s lead investigator, stated in court that upon first seeing Robinson in person, he appeared “a lot bigger” than expected.
Key testimonies thus far include those from Robinson’s father, Abdul Robinson Sr., who admitted to being an accessory after the fact in this case, and Dominique Barner, who confessed to being an accomplice in the murder.
Barner, also known as “Butta,” and Robinson Sr. both agreed to testify as part of plea deals in exchange for reduced sentences.
Robinson and Whitaker’s lawyers have portrayed Barner as a “paid assassin” involved in two homicides, arguing that his testimony serves his own interests.
The state and defense have rested in the case against Whitaker, as his attorney will deliver her closing argument after all testimony is complete.
The state has also concluded calling witnesses in Robinson’s case. Robinson’s team will now call their remaining witnesses.
First Coast News will continue to follow this trial. Watch day 6 of the trial live in the video player above, on our YouTube page here, or on First Coast News+. Click here for a recap of day 1, here for a recap of day 2, here for a recap of day 3, here for a recap of day 4, and here for a recap of day 5.
