Troy Ave (Left) | Taxstone (Right)
Daryl Campbell, popularly known as the podcast host Taxstone, has been sentenced to a lengthy 35-year prison term for his role in the 2016 shooting at Irving Plaza, resulting in the unfortunate death of Ronald McPhatter, the dedicated bodyguard of rapper Troy Ave. The recent announcement of the verdict was made on June 20 following an extensive trial that lasted several weeks.
The incident took place during a T.I. concert at Irving Plaza in New York City back in May 2016. What initially started as a dispute between Campbell and Troy Ave escalated into a tragic shooting incident, resulting in the untimely demise of McPhatter and causing injuries to several others, including Troy Ave himself.
The prosecution successfully connected Campbell to the crime through the use of DNA evidence and testimonies from eyewitnesses, ultimately leading to a guilty verdict on March 23. Campbell had been initially arrested in January 2017 and faced multiple charges, including illegal possession of a firearm and second-degree murder. Although he pleaded guilty to federal gun charges in June 2017, he consistently maintained his innocence regarding the murder accusation until the time of his trial.
Troy Ave was also apprehended following the incident and faced charges such as attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. As part of a plea deal, he later testified against Campbell during the trial, resulting in a reduced sentence for himself. Subsequent to his testimony, Troy Ave took to social media platforms to refute any claims of being an informant.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed his thoughts following the verdict, stating, “Daryl Campbell has been convicted of taking a man’s life and injuring three others during a tragic and fatal altercation within a crowded New York City music venue. We will vigorously prosecute any individual responsible for such deadly acts of violence.”
After the sentencing, Campbell shifted the blame onto Collins, although further details were not provided.
