The Pensacola rapper charged in the 2024 Paparazzi nightclub shooting on Gregory Street is ready to move forward and wants a jury trial for his attempted first-degree premeditated murder case, but the trial could be impeded by federal authorities.
The attorney for Jovon Booker, the 33-year-old rapper known as “Playa Pat” accused of shooting 36-year-old Gustavus Nairn at the now-closed Paparazzi Lounge in 2024, told the court Thursday that “we want a trial.”
However, Booker—who faces charges of attempted first-degree premeditated murder, committing a second-degree felony with a weapon, firing missiles inside of a dwelling, tampering with a witness or informant and carrying a concealed weapon—may have trouble getting to the Pensacola court as he’s currently in federal custody in Tallahassee.
“They may not release him, I mean, I don’t know,” Chief Judge John Simon said during the June 18 hearing, speaking of federal authorities. “The feds have a different mechanism, so we’ll see what happens.”
While his attorney, Patrece Cashwell, and Assistant State Attorney Allison McKenzie expect to pick a panel of jurors for Booker’s trial on June 29, McKenzie said federal authorities may want to hold a federal trial for the local rapper prior to his state trial.
Booker has a federal trial scheduled for Aug. 3, according to federal court records, after he was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of distributing 100 kilograms of marijuana, using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and multiple counts of money laundering through high-end jewelry.
Between the state and federal charges, Booker faces life in prison on both of his cases. Assuming federal authorities will release Booker into state custody, he is scheduled to have a jury selected June 29 followed by his trial.
Who is Pensacola rapper Playa Pat, stage name for Jovon Booker?
Booker is a Pensacola rapper who goes by the stage name “Playa Pat” and has attained over 1 million views among his list of songs. Some of his most popular songs include “God Father,” “No Brakes,” and “Trap Blessed.”
According to Spotify, Booker averages over 200 monthly listeners and has over 4,200 followers. Apple Music does not publicly display monthly listeners for artists.
Booker’s Spotify bio says he’s “cultivated his own style highlighted by a wavy cadence, signature high-pitched tone, deft rhyme-play and punchy lyrics.”
“I wanted people to be able to relate,” he said in his bio. “You’re going to understand where I’m from and who I am.”
According to Booker’s social media pages, he was working on a project called “Spot Boomin” to be entirely produced by award-winning producer Metro Boomin, the same artist in Billboard Hot No.1 song “Like That” with Future and Kendrick Lamar.
Benjamin Johnson is the crime and military reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He covers local law enforcement, courts and military within Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. He can be reached at bjohnson@pnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola rapper wants a state murder trial. The feds may get in way
Reporting by Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
