JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Terise Powe, a Jacksonville rapper known as Kshordy, was back in Duval County Circuit Court on Thursday morning with his co-defendant, Zhacobe Sykes. The accused killers were asking Judge Kevin Blazs to push back their trial date scheduled for June 10.
Blazs said he'd likely grant that request to allow the defense and the state to continue deposing potential witnesses. One of those witnesses is Powe's adversary, Noah Williams, another Jacksonville rapper who performs under the name Spinabenz.
Williams was in the car that police said Powe and Sykes shot up killing Xavier Mays, known as 187 NoFace, or BMG Zay in September 2021. Williams and another man in the car, Dasaun Williams, known as Greenlight, were not injured.
Noah Williams and Powe are documented gang members, according to Jacksonville police. Powe, 23, is affiliated with the gang Wawg, or Bully Gang. He's about a year into his 12-year sentence for a gun charge.
Williams, 24, 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 Foolio.
Powe's attorney, Jonathan Jordan, asked the court in April to contact Williams as a witness. During Thursday's pretrial, 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 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."
Dasaun Williams contacted Noah Williams by phone while he was being deposed, 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."
Noah Williams released a new rap video three weeks ago called "Letter to Kshordy," in which he shared his thoughts about what he thought about his rival trying to summon him as his witness.
Judge Blazs told Jordan what he thought about the attorney appearing in court via Zoom.
Powe and Sykes stood next to each other while the attorneys and judge sorted out the next steps toward their murder trial.
"Keep the men from conversing if you would," Blazs said interrupting the proceedings. "I'm sorry, I don't like to be distracted ... I despair the use of Zoom and that's not to be critical of Mr. Jordan, but you need to be standing over your client's shoulder every time he's here because he's going to get himself in trouble. That's my concern."
Powe and Sykes are due back in court on June 6. At that time the judge said he'd likely set a trial date and assist the state in helping them find Spinabenz.
