This past Monday, much of the Hip-Hop community was shocked to find out that radio/podcast personality Taxstone had been arrested in connection to a shooting that took place at New York’s Irving Plaza last May, which left one man (Ronald “Banga” McPhatter) dead and others injured — including rapper Troy Ave, who’s facing charges of his own. Now, more details have been revealed following Taxstone’s arraignment in federal court on Tuesday (January 17th), which is even more shocking:
- It’s now believed that Taxstone (real name: Daryl Campbell) was in contact with the gun — a 9mm Kel-Tec semiautomatic — that killed McPhatter and wounded Troy Ave…not only was Taxstone’s DNA found on the trigger and hand grip, it was also said to be present on the base of the magazine, leading authorities to believe that Taxstone loaded the weapon. This was also the same gun that was recovered from a hidden compartment in the vehicle used to take Troy Ave to the hospital (and, presumably, seen being fired on a security camera during the incident).
- In addition to the gun, authorities are also building a case against Taxstone using both his social media and Tax Season podcast…these sources show an apparent longstanding beef between Taxstone and Troy Ave (real name: Ronald Collins). One pulled quote sees Taxstone speaking on how he would shoot a group of people trying to harm him: “I can protect myself as a man, so I’m not thinking about rolling with six goons…When I see you walking up with six dudes, bang-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba…I want to embarrass somebody, and that’s why I started bullying Troy Ave, you know what I mean?”
Interestingly enough, Taxstone probably knew that these charges were coming as early as January 3rd; his lawyer — Kenneth Montgomery — revealed that the NYPD made a visit to the home of Taxstone’s aunt house in East New York prior to Monday’s arrest. Unsurprisingly, Troy’s lawyer John Stella used the new development to further defend his client: “As we have said since May 25, 2016, Roland Collins did not enter Irving Plaza with a handgun the night of the T.I. concert. I view the charges brought today before the (federal court) as a positive step in the direction of true justice for what occurred at Irving Plaza that night.”
Presiding Judge Andrew Peck set Taxstone’s bail at $500,000, with house arrest and ankle monitor required (no word on exactly when he’ll be released, though Montgomery guesses within a week); in spite of this, Taxstone will still be able to continue to record Tax Season. His next court date is February 16th.
Sources: New York Times / DNAinfo
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