Takeoff’s Alleged Killer To Claim ‘Self-Defense’ In Murder Case

Takeoff's alleged killer is planning to claim self-defense in the Migos rapper's ongoing murder case. This was revealed during a court hearing on Wednesday (December 15). Attorneys for Patrick Xavier Clark said they’re in the process of building a case that their client acted in self-defense that ultimately ended in the death of the Migos rapper on Nov. 1.

"We feel comfortable that when the time is right that Mr. Clark will have a valid and meritorious claim for self-defense," said Letitia Quinones, one of Clark’s attorneys, following the hearing per HipHopDX.

Elsewhere in the hearing, Clark also reportedly managed to get his $2 million bond reduced per KHOU.

The bond had originally been set at $2 million for Clark earlier this month but it was reduced to $1 million according to court records obtained by the outlet. Clark's attorneys argued that the original bond amount was excessive and went against the Texas Constitution, the local news outlet reports. They also argued that Clark's family couldn't afford the $2 million bond. Texas Constitution mandates that all prisoners shall be provided sufficient but not excessive bail.

Clark's attorneys said that if the suspect would be released on bond he would comply with the judge's orders. The judge is requesting a financial background affidavit and GPS technology that would notify the court of any tampering or violation of bond orders.

However, prosecutors are concerned that Clark could be a flight risk since he was reportedly planning to head to Mexico after the shooting by applying for an expedited passport. Clark's attorneys argue that his plane ticket was canceled prior to his arrest and that he was planning to lease an apartment last month. His passport was voluntarily surrendered on Wednesday (Dec. 14).

Takeoff was shot and killed in Houston in the early hours of Nov. 1. Quavo, Takeoff's uncle and groupmate were on the scene, but was unhurt. Takeoff was shot in the head and torso according to the coroner's report and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Earlier this morning, we reported on the tragic and senseless death of rapper Takeoff from Migos. Takeoff, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, was killed in an early morning shooting in Houston.

Gossip site TMZ reported on the story. They noted that law enforcement sources, and multiple witnesses, said that the fatal incident occurred shortly after 2:30 AM when police got the call for a man shot at a bowling alley called 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston. According to their reports, Takeoff and Migos' Quavo were there playing dice when an altercation broke out and that's when someone opened fire, shooting Takeoff. They reported that he was shot "either in the head or near to his head." They said that he was pronounced dead on the scene. Takeoff was 28 years old.

TMZ also posted photos that were slightly blurred but which showed Takeoff lying on the ground.  Many were upset that TMZ and others shared horrifying footage. The writer Kimberly St. Julian-Vernon tweeted, "I think it’s disgusting that TMZ monetizes the deaths of Black men: Kobe’s accident, now Takeoff’s murder." Civil rights lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill said, "No human being or their family deserves to have published the kind of crime scene photos I glimpsed. A disgrace TMZ." Writer Rotimi Adeoye expressed, "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. TMZ is disgusting. Posting death photos is beyond cruel. They did the same exact thing when Kobe died."

Rapper Cadence Weapon tweeted, "TMZ posted Takeoff’s dead body when reporting his murder. Would they do the same for a white country artist? Or would they be more respectful? Where does the impulse to film and post a lifeless dead Black body come from? Maybe this is why Black death has become so normalized." A twitter account called NBA Slime said, "TMZ y’all gotta stop showing “EXCLUSIVE” footage of people’s last moments Please man! Getting the scoop is enough, you guys don’t need to show that stuff anymore! It’s getting sick! You know what you’re doing and you know it’s wrong! Stop doing it!!!" See more reactions below.