In a Compton, California courtroom, Freddie Trone firmly denied accusations that he ordered his 17-year-old son to rob and kill hip-hop star PnB Rock in a Los Angeles restaurant in 2022. Facing prosecution during cross-examination, Trone insisted, “I never had nothing to do with it. I wasn’t there. I didn’t tell nobody to do nothing. I didn’t hand nobody no gun.”
Trone’s outburst came unprompted as Deputy District Attorney Timothy Richardson’s questions grew more pointed. Trone, increasingly agitated, questioned the prosecutor’s focus, demanding, “How is this relevant to trying to tie me to something?” His frustration peaked when he shouted, “for the fifth time!” after being asked about his encounter with his son post-shooting.
Charged with murder, second-degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery, 42-year-old Trone took the risky step of testifying in his own defense. He was the sole defense witness. On the stand, he acknowledged the severity of the crimes and described his son as “dangerous.” His son, who has not yet been tried, remains in the juvenile justice system.
During closing arguments, Richardson zeroed in on Trone’s parental responsibility, questioning, “But you send your 17-year-old son with knowledge of the problems he possesses to do this?” He emphasized the familial relationship repeatedly, underscoring the gravity of the charge with terms like “his son” and “his biological son.”
PnB Rock, born Rakim Allen, rose to fame with the 2016 hit “Selfish” and collaborations with artists like YFN Lucci and Ed Sheeran. The prosecution argued that felony murder charges applied as long as the accused was a significant participant acting with “reckless indifference to human life.” Richardson emphasized, “A robbery is inherently dangerous. It’s up close and personal.”
Richardson guided the jury through the events of September 12, 2022, using surveillance video crucial to the case. Footage showed Trone in the parking lot of a South Los Angeles Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles around 30 minutes before the incident. Trone defended his presence, claiming he was promoting his beauty shop nearby.
The prosecution presented an image of Trone’s associate, Tremont Jones, fist-bumping Allen, who was adorned with valuable jewelry. Richardson proclaimed, “Was there motive? Yes! Half-a-million dollar worth!” They alleged that Jones informed Trone about the rapper’s location and his jewelry. Jones has since pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy charges.
Further video evidence showed Trone’s Buick Enclave dropping off his son near the restaurant and picking him up minutes later. Trone testified that his keys and car were missing before the shooting, later finding his son with the vehicle and three other youths.
Inside the restaurant, surveillance captured a masked individual demanding jewelry before shooting Allen, who was struck in the chest and back. While a gun was found on the rapper, prosecutors noted it was neither drawn nor discharged.
Trone’s attorney, Winston McKesson, countered the prosecution, arguing a lack of direct evidence linking Trone to the crime. He pointed out the absence of communicative evidence between Trone and Jones regarding Allen or a robbery, no indication Trone was present at the scene, and no conclusive video showing Trone as the driver during the incident. Additionally, no jewelry or firearm tied to the crime has been recovered.
Criticizing the prosecution’s swift and severe charges, McKesson suggested racial and socio-economic biases influenced the decision. “Had my defendant not lived in this area, had he not been African American, there’s no way they would’ve filed murder charges,” he asserted outside the court. “Had this crime been in Beverly Hills, he would’ve been charged as an accessory after the fact and that’s it.”
