Life In Prison For Convicted Murderer William Shakespeare

BOSTON, MA — A Dedham man will spend the rest of his life behind bars, a judge determined Monday.

William Shakespeare was given the mandatory sentence of life in prison for his role in the death of 31-year-old Marcus Hall. Friday, a jury found Shakespeare guilty of first degree murder and other charges related to the case.

Police say that the June 14, 2016 shooting took place while Marcus Hall was at a Blue Hill Avenue barbershop with his 4-year-old son. Just past 12:20 p.m., Hall and a second man, identified as Shakespeare, were involved in an argument at the barbershop. Shakespeare then left, but soon returned with a gun. Both men were seen on surveillance camera arguing and walking out a back door int0 a parking lot. Moments later, the door opened again and Hall stood in the doorway. A brief struggle occurred and witnesses heard gunshots from the parking lot, prosecutors said. Witnesses found Hall lying on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Shakespeare then fled the scene and left Boston for New York. He was taken into custody in the Bronx, New York, without incident in January 2017.

Following the conviction, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office called the killing a, "brazen daytime murder."

Hall's sister said during victim impact statements that family meant everything to her brother and he was a shining star.

“I would like you to know that the violence in the city that made Marcus want to make a change is the same senseless act that was brought upon him. Marcus could have taught this defendant to be a better dad, husband, friend – only if he would have taken the time to use his mouth instead of a gun.”

Hall's girlfriend told the judge that Hall was an outstanding human being who brought out the best in everyone.

In addition to the mandatory sentence, Shakespeare was given five years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years for carrying a loaded firearm.

Image via Shutterstock