HOUSTON – Patrick Xavier Clark, the man accused of killing Kirsnick Khari “Takeoff” Ball of the Grammy-nominated rap group Migos, appeared in a Houston courtroom Wednesday.
KPRC 2 News was the only media outlet present during the hearing and spoke with Clark’s attorney afterward. Here’s what we learned.
Recommended Videos
Clark had been scheduled for a hearing Wednesday morning, but once in court, the judge rescheduled the matter for Jan. 8. That appearance will be a pretrial conference.
Clark’s attorney, Carl Moore, told KPRC 2’s Rilwan Balogun that if no agreement is reached with prosecutors, the case will move toward a jury trial.
“We’re at the point now, if we can’t reach an agreement, we’re going to set the case for a jury trial,” Moore said.
What has been happening with this case over the last three years?
Moore said no plea deals or agreements have been discussed. Instead, both sides have spent the last several months exchanging evidence and ensuring discovery is complete.
When asked whether he believes the case will ultimately go to trial, Moore said that depends on how the next steps unfold.
“If it’s not dismissed, we will be setting the case for trial,” he said, adding that Clark continues to maintain his innocence and hopes the case will be dismissed so he can “live his life again.”
Background: What happened the night Takeoff was killed?
Takeoff, whose legal name was Kirsnick Khari Ball, was shot and killed around 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2022, during a private party at a downtown Houston bowling alley in the 1200 block of San Jacinto.
The event was hosted by J. Prince Jr., son of Rap-A-Lot founder J. Prince.
Investigators said an argument began during or after a dice game involving Quavo, Takeoff’s uncle and a fellow Migos member. Video circulating online showed Quavo walking away moments before gunfire erupted. Takeoff was struck and died at the scene.
Two other people were also shot, but they were taken to hospitals in private vehicles and survived their injuries.
Although Clark has consistently denied firing the fatal shots, prosecutors say surveillance video shows him pointing and firing a gun toward a group of people. Investigators also said Clark’s fingerprints were recovered from a wine bottle left at the scene.
Along with Clark, another man was also charged as part of the shooting.
Joshua Cameron was charged with felon in possession of a weapon and unlawfully carrying a weapon with a felony conviction. His case was dismissed in December of 2023.
Clark remains out on bond.
Click2Houston coverage on Takeoff murder: