Overview
- Patrik Xavier Clark filed court papers asking to examine the bullets recovered from the 2022 shooting that killed rapper Takeoff, and he wants an independent expert to run ballistics tests on evidence held by the Houston Police Department.
- Clark remains free on a $1 million bond under house arrest with a GPS monitor and conditions to avoid people connected to the investigation as he prepares for trial starting November 5.
- His lawyers say Clark has a valid self-defense claim and seek testing to support that argument while prosecutors point to surveillance video and investigators' report that his fingerprints were found on a wine bottle at the scene.
- Defense access to police-held evidence is a routine but contested pretrial step that requires court approval and coordination with law enforcement before independent testing can take place.
- The case continues to draw public attention from Takeoff’s family, friends, and fans, and it unfolds as Migos plan a release that will include archived vocals from the late rapper.