A man convicted in the murder and robbery of rapper PnB Rock at a popular Los Angeles restaurant has been sentenced to 31 years to life in prison.
Freddie Lee Trone, 42, was found guilty last month of one count of murder, two counts of robbery, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.
The sentence was delivered by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Connie Quinones on Monday at the Compton Courthouse.
Prosecutors stated that Trone instructed his then-17-year-old son to rob PnB Rock, who was dining with the mother of his 4-year-old daughter at Roscoe’s Chicken ’N Waffles in South Los Angeles on September 12, 2022.
According to Los Angeles police, an armed robber confronted PnB Rock, whose real name was Rakim Hasheem Allen, argued with him, robbed him of jewelry, and then shot him, leading to his death.
The teenager has been charged with murder and is currently held in a juvenile facility after a judge determined he is not competent to stand trial.
Trone’s defense attorney, Winston McKesson, announced plans to appeal the conviction, which can be initiated after sentencing. He contended that there is no physical evidence or communication linking Trone to the crime.
“There’s no evidence he supplied the gun, planted the gun, or knew his son had a gun,” McKesson stated.
On the day of the murder, PnB Rock reportedly posted a photo on his dining companion’s Instagram, which may have inadvertently revealed his location. This post was deleted before NBC News could verify its content.
Former Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore noted that a significant amount of jewelry was taken from PnB Rock during the robbery.
Another defendant, Tremont Jones, 46, received a 12-year prison sentence after being convicted of two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy related to the incident.
Shauntel Trone, Freddie Lee’s wife, owned a vehicle linked to the crime. She pleaded no contest to being an accessory after the fact, with her sentencing scheduled for January 16.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón emphasized that Trone’s sentencing reflects the commitment to justice for PnB Rock’s family, stating, “His life was cut short by an act of violence that no family should have to endure.”
