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Hakeem Robinson, a Jacksonville rapper known as Ksoo, is on trial for the murder of Charles McCormick. The rapper’s attorneys are calling 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.
During opening statements, prosecutors called the murder for Robinson “personal” and argued that a “diss track” created by McCormick, which referenced Robinson’s slain brother Willie Addison, created the motive for the crime.
Robinson’s attorneys, Tara Kawass and Christopher DeCoste, have stressed discrepancies between the rapper’s appearance and the man seen on dashcam video of the murder committing the killing.
On Tuesday, Sergeant Christopher Smith of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the lead investigator in the case, testified that Robinson looked “a lot bigger” than he had expected when seeing the rapper in person for the first time.
The most notable testimonies juries have heard so far are that of Robinson’s father, Abdul Robinson Sr., who pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact in this case, and Dominique Barner, a confessed accomplice to the murder in question.
Barner, also known as “Butta,” and Robinson Sr. both agreed to testify as part of plea deals in exchange for reduced sentences.
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.
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.
