Crime

A jury found 21-year-old Julius Hammond-Desir guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday.

A man convicted in a fatal shooting in 2022 South Beach Plaza The Braintree man was sentenced to life in prison with the chance of parole, authorities said.

Sentencing documents state that Julius Hammond-Desir will be eligible for parole after 25 years. Documents show a jury convicted the 21-year-old of first-degree murder in the Jan. 22, 2022, slaying of 26-year-old Dijoun Beasley at a shopping plaza.

Prosecutors said Beasely was shopping with his girlfriend and son. The statement of facts shows a brief verbal exchange between Hammond-Desir and Beasley at a store in the mall; Meanwhile, Hammond-Desir lifted his shirt to show the unlicensed gun in his waistband. The two had another brief verbal exchange when Hammond-Desir pulled out his gun and shot Beasely in the head, according to the documents.

“This was a shocking and implausible chance encounter,” Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said in a statement. Boston Globe. “We hope Mr. Beasley’s family and friends find some solace in this decision. We are deeply saddened by their loss. “We thank this jury for their service.”

Normally, any adult convicted of first-degree murder is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Peter B. Krupp explained in the sentencing document. But Krupp said the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently ruled that life sentences without the possibility of parole constitute “cruel or unusual punishment” if the defendant was under 21 at the time of the murder.

Because Hammond-Desir was 19 when he killed Beasely, Krupp ruled that he was eligible for parole after serving 25 years in prison.

“The profound sadness of losing Mr. Beasley and the fact that he will never be present for future life events will be felt by his mother, other family members and close friends for the rest of their lives.” Krupp said in the sentencing document. “No parent should have to bury their child.”

However, Krupp acknowledged that Hammond-Desir’s upbringing was a potential factor in the shooting. At sentencing, Krupp noted that Hammond-Desir had been both a witness and victim of “abuse and trauma” throughout her life.

Krupp said he hoped the sentence would encourage Hammond-Desire “to mature, potentially seek education, and seek out mentors who can help him develop his skills, personal knowledge, and personal insight while in custody.” and to give him the opportunity to show, through his actions while in custody, that he can one day be a productive member of society outside of prison.”

Hammond-Desir’s representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Eva Levin is Boston.com’s general assignment co-op. Covering breaking and local news from Boston and beyond.

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