The gavel has dropped for Jacksonville rapper ATK Scotty, who was found guilty of first-degree murder today in a verdict that took the jury a jaw-dropping 30 minutes to decide. The conviction sends a shockwave through the local hip-hop scene, but the drama is far from over as his co-defendant, Ksoo, remains on trial, facing his own father’s damning testimony from the witness stand.
This case is a tangled web of gang rivalry, street justice, and a family torn apart in a court of law.
ATK Scotty, whose real name is Leroy Whitaker Jr., 24, now faces a new reality. On July 31, 2025, a jury convicted him of his part in the 2020 shooting death of Charles “Lil Buck” McCormick Jr.
Prosecutors successfully argued that Scotty was not just a passenger but an armed accomplice in the car used during the murder. He was also found guilty of burglary with assault or battery and home invasion robbery after evidence showed he and others crashed their stolen getaway car and broke into a home to steal clothes to disguise themselves.
Scotty’s legal team, led by attorney Julie Schlax, argued there was no direct physical evidence and attacked the credibility of a key witness who testified as part of a plea deal. The jury wasn’t convinced.
While Scotty’s fate is sealed, the trial for his co-defendant, 24-year-old Hakeem “Ksoo” Robinson, continues with a bombshell twist. The prosecution’s star witness is Ksoo’s father, Abdul Robinson Sr.
In a stunning courtroom moment, Robinson Sr. identified his son as the shooter seen in dashcam footage of the murder. Testifying as part of his plea agreement, the father cited his failing health as a reason for cooperating, telling the court he needed to be there for his younger children.
This testimony adds a deeply personal and tragic layer to the hip-hop crime news, as a father’s decision to testify against his son has left the community divided.
This legal trouble in Jacksonville is allegedly rooted in a bitter gang rivalry. Prosecutors framed the murder of “Lil Buck” McCormick as retaliation. McCormick, a rival, had reportedly released a diss track that disrespected Ksoo’s late brother, Willie Addison.
The prosecution has leaned heavily on modern evidence, presenting rap lyrics, music videos, and social media posts to build their case. They pointed to an Instagram Live video showing Ksoo wearing a hoodie that matched the one worn by the shooter, using his digital footprint against him.
The defense argues these are just artistic expressions, not confessions, part of a larger, ongoing debate about how the justice system interprets hip-hop culture.
The courtroom has been tense, and the reaction online is just as heated. Social media is buzzing with debates over loyalty and street code, especially after Ksoo’s father testified.
Fans and legal commentators are dissecting every detail, from using rap lyrics as evidence to the shocking family dynamics playing out in public. The case highlights the blurred lines between art, life, and the law in the modern rap scene.
For ATK Scotty, a sentencing date is the next step on his dark new path. His quick conviction sets a somber tone as the city grapples with gang violence.
Meanwhile, closing arguments are still underway in Ksoo’s trial. With his own father’s words echoing in the courtroom, everyone is waiting to see if the second jury will be as convinced as the first. The fate of Ksoo, a prominent figure in the Jacksonville rap scene, now rests in their hands.
