Former media personality Taxstone, born Daryl Campbell, has received a date for his murder trial. According to AllHipHop, Tax’s trial for the 2016 murder of Troy Ave’s bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter has been set for Nov. 12 in New York City.
Taxstone is currently facing a life sentence for the fatal shooting that took place inside of Irving Plaza during a T.I. concert in May 2016. During the event, a fight ensued between Tax and Troy Ave backstage. Video footage showed Troy on camera pulling Taxstone out of the green room while firing shots off into the crowd.
Police recovered a gun in Troy Ave’s van and determined that it was, in fact, the weapon used to kill McPhatter. During the investigation, police discovered that Taxstone’s DNA was on the handgun’s trigger, handgrip, and magazine. Troy Ave’s DNA was on the firearm as well.
Taxstone was charged with second-degree murder in July 2018. However, he is currently behind bars on federal gun charges.
Troy Ave was also arrested while in the hospital recovering from a leg injury. At the time, he was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. His charges were later downgraded to attempted second-degree murder and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon — all of which are felonies.
We previously reported that at Taxstone’s arraignment in January 2017, U.S. Attorney Hagen Scotten told the judge and those in the courtroom that Tax “shot the fatal shot” that killed McPhatter. The judge still granted Tax bail, but the decision was reversed the following morning after at least one eyewitness stepped forward. The witness’ accounts were enough to place Taxstone on trial for murder.
Taxstone’s murder case is being prosecuted by the state and same office handling Troy Ave’s weapon case.
Taxstone rose to stardom with his popular “Tax Season” podcast.