Man Gets Life Term for Murder on Horadan Way

The man who gunned down Demetrius Blocker in a likely case of mistaken identity was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the 2010 Mission Hill slaying, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a press statement.

Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders additionally sentenced Keith Hobbs, 29, to a concurrent term of four to five years on his conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm. Jurors convicted Hobbs of the murder and gun offenses on Friday in connection with Blocker’s Dec. 16, 2010, homicide.

During about a week and a half of trial, Assistant District Attorneys Masai King and Montez Haywood introduced evidence and testimony proving that Hobbs opened fire in the rear parking area of 48 Horadan Way, striking Blocker, who was simply waiting for a relative and was not involved with guns, gangs, or violence. Hobbs then fled on foot toward Huntington Avenue, tossing the firearm in a dumpster along the way.

Blocker, 21, was rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he died of his injuries. Nearby cameras captured part of the gunman’s escape, but his identity remained unknown until a civilian witness identified him.

“Even with surveillance images, this case might well have gone unsolved without the cooperation of witnesses who came forward after media reports,” Conley said. “That assistance made the difference here, and I want to highlight its importance.”

Hobbs was charged with murder in April 2012 after authorities developed critical identification evidence. At the time the warrant issued, Hobbs was serving a three-year prison sentence for a 2011 arrest for possession of a firearm and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute.

Katherine Moran was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Hobbs was represented by attorney William White.