BOSTON, August 13, 2018— Family members recalled 31-year-old Marcus Hall as a “shining star” as the man who murdered him outside a Mattapan barbershop was sentenced to life in prison, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, 30, of Dedham, faced sentencing this morning after a Suffolk Superior Court jury on Friday found him guilty of first-degree murder and firearm charges. During a sentencing hearing this morning, Judge Christine Roach imposed a term of life in prison without the possibility of parole – the mandatory term for first-degree murder. She additionally sentenced Shakespeare to five years for unlawful possession of a firearm and two years for carrying a loaded firearm, which was ordered served concurrent with his life sentence.

During approximately a week of testimony, Assistant District Attorney Catherine Ham of the DA’s Homicide Unit proved that Shakespeare and Hall became involved in a verbal altercation at a Blue Hill Avenue barbershop on June 14, 2016. Following the argument, Shakespeare left the shop and Hall remained there with his 4-year-old son. Shakespeare, however, soon returned armed with a gun and fatally shot Hall during a second confrontation outside while the child was still in the shop.

“Marcus Hall faced an armed gunman alone rather than put his son in danger by fleeing inside,” Conley said. “His last act on this earth was to protect the child he loved.”

Shakespeare fled to New York, where he was captured by Boston Police last year.

Before sentencing Shakespeare, Roach heard impact statements from Hall’s relatives, who recalled Hall as a doting father who was dedicated to making positive changes in his community.

“Family meant everything to Marcus. He was our shining star,” Hall’s sister told the court. “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.”

“Marcus Hall was such an outstanding human being. He was forever learning, forever teaching, and always striving to inspire,” Hall’s girlfriend said in an impact statement. “He exuded so much positive energy and confidence that couldn’t help but rub off on you. And he made sure to bring out the best in you even if you didn’t know you possessed it.”

Katherine Moran is the DA’s assigned victim witness advocate. Shakespeare was represented by James Greenberg.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.