Teen admits he stabbed 15-year-old to death in Dorchester last year

By adamg on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 5:28pm

Amari Pope, himself not even 16, pleaded guilty to manslaughter today for the death of Deon Hopkins at Columbia Road and Devon Street on Feb. 21 of last year, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

A judge sentenced Pope to 10 to 12 years behind bars, which will include the time he spends in the custody of DYS until he turns 21, according to the DA's office, which had initially charged Pope with second-degree murder.

According to authorities, Hopkins and a third teen were in an argument around 4:30 p.m. that day. Pope didn't like the way it was going and went to his apartment to get a knife, with which he then stabbed Hopkins.

In the moments that followed, Pope stabbed the younger boy and pursued him across the street. Hopkins collapsed in front of a nearby market and surveillance video allegedly shows Pope circling his body still carrying the knife. Pope allegedly left the area and changed his clothing.

Neighborhoods:

Dorchester

Topics:

Crime

Free tagging:

Deon Hopkins

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Comments

10 years for premeditated murder?

By O-FISH-L on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 6:24pm.

surveillance video allegedly shows Pope circling his body still carrying the knife. Pope allegedly left the area and changed his clothing.

Why wasn't this person tried for first degree murder as an adult, as the law allows? Obviously an open and shut case, premeditation, video of the suspect at the scene and consciousness of guilt. What a joke. Any doubt this teen will kill again when he is out at 25? DA Conley is really starting to raise eyebrows.

He Was 15

By anon on Sat, 09/30/2017 - 9:40am.

Even if the law allows a result, it doesn't always mean that's the best result. We have juvenile laws for a reason, namely that 15 year olds don't have the same mental processes as adults. Sending a 15 year old to prison for life should be reserved for the very worst of the worst, if at all.

How is this not the worst of

By anon on Sat, 09/30/2017 - 11:37am.

How is this not the worst of the worst. He killed someone intentionally??

Is his mind fully formed?

By Waquiot on Sun, 10/01/2017 - 12:05am.

Does he fully understand what he did? Could he, when he matures, have remorse for what he did and truly regret his youth?

That's the difference between being sentenced as a juvenile and being sentenced as an adult.

10 - 12 yr sentebce

By Anon on Sat, 09/30/2017 - 7:04pm.

Dont assume you know what went on according to the media. There are 3 sides to a story. There is his, hers and the side you dont hear which is usually the truth. Dont judge....thats God's job.

He was charged as an adult,

By mdecast on Sat, 09/30/2017 - 9:45pm.

He was charged as an adult, as a youthful offender. He had a charge of homicide. Ultimately it looks like he plead out to the lesser charge of man slaughter. The DA agreed to the plea and the judge accepted it. So for whatever reason it was accepted is unknown. Even if he was convicted of homicide, juveniles in this state are not given natural life sentences. He’d be eligible for parole.