LOS ANGELES — Freddie Trone was convicted of murder and robbery charges Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of a Philadelphia rap artist at a popular Los Angeles restaurant, concluding a trial that captured widespread attention.
Trone, accompanied by accomplice Tremont Jones, faced justice after a jury deliberated for less than four hours before delivering their verdict. According to Rolling Stone reporter Nancy Dillon, Trone was found guilty of murder, two counts of robbery, and one count of conspiracy related to the September 12, 2022, killing at Roscoe’s Chicken ‘N Waffles in South Los Angeles. Jones was also convicted of robbery and conspiracy.
“I’m elated,” said Deannea Allen, mother of rapper PnB Rock, to Rolling Stone following the announcement of the verdict.
Trone is the father of the 17-year-old shooter involved in the incident, who was deemed mentally unfit to stand trial. The teen is currently under the custody of the juvenile system. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Trone and his son, acting on information provided by Jones, targeted the rapper while he dined at the restaurant. The state alleged that Trone instructed his son to carry out the robbery, resulting in the fatal shooting of the rapper in front of his fiancée Stephanie Sibounheuang and shocked onlookers.
Trone’s defense countered that he only became involved after the robbery took place and played no role in planning or orchestrating the crime.
