Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, known by his stage name Ksoo, is being tried for the alleged murder of Charles McCormick. There is a possibility that Robinson’s father will testify as the trial progresses.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Day four in the trial of Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, known as Ksoo, continues Monday.
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, during their opening statements on Wednesday, described the murder as intensely personal. They suggested that McCormick’s “diss track,” which mentioned Robinson’s deceased brother Willie Addison, served as the motive for the alleged crime.
On the other hand, Robinson’s defense lawyer, Tara Kawass, highlighted inconsistencies between Robinson’s appearance and the individual recorded on dashcam video during the incident.
Several people took the stand to testify on Thursday, including a woman who described what she saw at the murder scene and the officer who engaged in the subsequent pursuit following the murder.
Dominique Barner, also known as “Butta,” a confessed accomplice to the murder in question, testified Friday. Barner agreed to testify as part of a plea deal in exchange for a reduced sentence. He has also pleaded guilty to the murder of Damon Rothermal, who was killed when Barner attempted to carry out a hit on a rival gang member.
The attorneys for Robinson and Whitaker (also known as ATK Scotty) have argued that Barner is a “paid assassin” responsible for two murders and is testifying solely to help himself.
First Coast News will continue to follow this case. Watch day 4 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, click here for a recap of day 2, and click here for a recap of day 3.
