PnB Rock Murder Trial Begins With Jaw-Dropping Opening Statements

Defense attorneys for PnB Rock's alleged killers argued that there's no solid evidence to prove their clients intended to take the rapper's life during the first day of their trial.

On Wednesday, July 24, Freddie Trone, 42, and Tremont Jones, 46, appeared in a courtroom in Compton, Calif. to begin their trial nearly two years after the Philadelphia native was shot and killed inside a Roscoe's Chicken 'N Waffles. According to Rolling Stone , Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Timothy Richardson laid out the surveillance video he plans to show the jury while the defense highlighted the lack of evidence against their clients.

“My client, Freddie Trone, did not pull the trigger," said Trone's defense attorney Winston McKesson. "He was not inside the restaurant at the time. This charge of murder is the most serious charge. We have to have evidence to support it.”

“You will hear no evidence that he planned this with his son," he continued. "That he instructed his son to do this or he egged him on. They will have evidence that my client did help his son cover this up. We’re not disputing that. What we’re saying is the gunman acted alone. This is a horrible thing. It is. Somebody should pay. They should. But focus on what is not there. Where is the evidence that these people sat down and planned this? Where is the evidence that my client gave his son the gun? Where is the evidence that my client planted this in his son’s head? Where is the evidence that my client instructed his son to commit cold-blooded murder?”

Trone is charged with murder along with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts of second-degree robbery. Prosecutors allege Trone drove his 17-year-old son to the Roscoe's and ordered him to rob and fatally shoot PnB Rock while he was eating with his fiancée Stephanie Sibounheuang . They claim Trone tried to cover up his son's crime by setting the getaway car on fire a block away from his home.

The juvenile suspect, who fired the deadly shot, is being prosecuted separately. He's set to appear in court this Friday for a competency hearing. However, the prosecution believes the older Trone should answer for his son's actions. Trone's wife Shantel was also arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact. She reportedly accepted a plea deal in her case.

Jones is accused of tipping Trone off about Rock's location and conspiring with him about the crimes. He faces two counts of robbery, one count of conspiring to rob the late rapper, and one count of illegal possession of a firearm.

Trone and Jones have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution said they have plenty of surveillance video that will show Trone and Jones speaking with an unknown man outside of the restaurant moments before the shooting. However, the defense asserts the charges are based on "guesswork."

“All of this is guesswork, all guesswork, and when you can’t put your finger on specific words or specific actions, we call that a finding of not guilty,” said Jones’ defense lawyer David Haas.