Attempted Murder Charge Dropped for Tampa Bay Rapper T9ine (Antonio Nelson) After Cellphone Evidence Challenged

Tampa Bay rapper T9ine (born Antonio Nelson) achieved a major legal victory when the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office dropped the attempted murder and felony robbery charges against him during a court hearing. Nelson later pleaded guilty to a separate charge of dealing in stolen property.

The case drew widespread attention because prosecutors relied heavily on cellphone location data to place Nelson at the scene of a shooting. His defense team successfully raised serious concerns about the reliability of that digital evidence, ultimately undermining the state’s case.

The Allegations Against Antonio Nelson

The charges stemmed from a robbery and shooting at a Mobil gas station in East Tampa on July 11, 2021. Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies arrested Nelson and another individual weeks later, alleging that cellphone data placed Nelson near the crime scene during the incident.

Because attempted murder carries life-altering consequences under Florida law, the defense focused early on testing the strength and accuracy of the prosecution’s evidence.

Challenging the Cellphone Location Evidence

Nelson’s defense attorneys contested both his involvement in the incident and the methods law enforcement used to interpret cellphone location data.

Key issues raised by the defense

• Cellphone records showed Nelson received a call from his mother at 9:50 PM that evening.
• Those records reflected his phone being located in Brandon, where he lived.
• Law enforcement records placed the robbery vehicle at the Tampa gas station from 9:15 PM to 9:58 PM, creating inconsistencies with the state’s timeline.

Investigators relied on a cellphone data analysis tool known as CellHawk, which has faced scrutiny in other cases for accuracy and oversight concerns. The defense highlighted how factors such as tower coverage, device behavior, and interpretation errors can significantly affect location conclusions.

Charges Dropped After Evidence Was Questioned

After the cellphone evidence was challenged, prosecutors were unable to move forward with the attempted murder and robbery charges. Those charges were dropped not only against Nelson, but also against the co-defendant, due to the reliance on the same questioned digital evidence.

In a public statement, Nelson credited his legal team for their dedication and belief in his case, noting the decisive role their work played in exposing weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.

What This Case Shows About Digital Evidence

This case serves as a reminder that digital evidence, while powerful, is not infallible. Cellphone location data can be misunderstood, misapplied, or overstated, and it must be carefully examined in any serious criminal case.

• Digital evidence can and should be challenged.
• Early legal intervention can change the trajectory of a case.
• Small discrepancies in timing or data interpretation can have major consequences.

Speak With a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you care about is facing serious criminal allegations in Tampa Bay or elsewhere in Florida, strong legal representation from the outset is critical. A thorough review of the evidence can make the difference between conviction and dismissal.

Contact Bernhardt Riley, Attorneys at Law, PLLC at (727) 275-9575 to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your legal options.