JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The trial for Jacksonville rapper Kshordy, who is accused of committing a murder in September 2021, is set to begin in November, as the rapper had his third-to-last pre-trial hearing Tuesday morning.
Kshordy, whose real name is Terise Powe, is accused of killing Xavier Mays, also known as 187 NoFace or BMG Zay on Sept. 28, 2021 near Jacksonville's Murray Hill area. Zhacobe Sykes, 26, is also charged in the murder; he's a co-defendant in the case.
Powe, 23, and Sykes' trial was supposed to begin on June 10, but on May 16, both defendants asked Judge Kevin Blazs to push back their trial start date.
Blazs granted the request on June 6 to allow the defense and state to continue deposing potential witnesses in the case. One of those witnesses is Powe's foe, Noah Williams, another Jacksonville rapper who performs under the name "Spinabenz."
Williams, 24, was in the car that police said Powe and Sykes shot up, killing Mays. He and another man in the car named Dasaun Williams, also known as "Greenlight," were not injured in the shooting.
Williams and Powe are documented gang members, according to Jacksonville police.
Powe is affiliated with the gang Wawg, or Bully Gang. He's nearly a year and a half into his 12-year sentence for a gun charge in a separate case.
Meanwhile, Williams is affiliated with the gang 1200. He's most noted for the viral song, "Who I Smoke," which features Yungeen Ace.
Powe's gang has an alliance with late Jacksonville rapper Foolio's, who was shot and killed in a "targeted" shooting in Tampa on June 23.
Powe's attorney, Jonathan Jordan, asked the court in April to contact Williams as a witness. During the May pre-trial hearing, Jordan told the judge he hasn't made contact with Williams yet because the state can't find him.
"The state was going to make efforts to secure an address to serve him (Noah Williams) for deposition," Jordan told the judge. "The other Mr. Williams (Dasaun Williams) has shown up and been deposed, but the remaining surviving victim has, I guess, lost contact with the state and the state was going to update the court on their efforts to secure a deposition for the defense."
When Blazs then asked the state how they were doing in their efforts to find Noah Williams, the prosecutor responded, "Judge, I have quite frankly never had contact with the surviving victim," she said. "I was actually surprised the one (Dasaun Williams) shows up for deposition."
It was also revealed in the May pre-trial hearing that Dasaun Williams contacted Noah Williams by phone while he was being deposed, as the prosecutor told the judge: "And my impression is he's somewhere in Georgia," she said. "I have no idea where he is. I will continue to look for him."
In Tuesday's pre-trial hearing, the prosecutor recommended to the judge that the next pre-trial hearing be scheduled about "30 days out," as she said the court gave a deadline of Oct. 15 for "both parties to list any experts that might be listed before the November trial" and "see how we are on depos. [depositions]."
It was not brought up in the hearing whether if the state has made contact with Noah Williams or not to be deposed.
Prior to the May court hearing, Noah Williams released a rap video on April 21 called "Letter to Kshordy," in which he shared his thoughts about his rival trying to summon him as his witness.
Powe said in a letter addressed to Blazs that was sent to the court on April 18, that "the state is relying on tainted evidence to convict me in trial."
"Your honor, 80% of the bodycam footage [of my arrest] is destroyed due to the officers purposely covering them to hide their malicious acts."
Powe faces charges of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, one count of shooting or throwing deadly missiles and one count of possession of a firearm by a juvenile delinquent found to have committed a felony act, court records show. He has pleaded not guilty to them.
As for Sykes, the 26-year-old faces charges of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree and one count of shooting or throwing deadly missiles, records show.
Powe and Sykes are due back in court on Oct. 2. Their final pre-trial hearing will be on Nov. 14 before jury selection begins on Nov. 18, State Attorney Sheila Loizos told First Coast News.
