BOSTON, April 23, 2013—A Roslindale man was convicted of murder today and his friend found guilty of helping him in the aftermath of 19-year-old Kenneth Soto’s 2011 stabbing death in Jamaica Plain, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury this afternoon convicted HECTOR “NEMO” SOTO (D.O.B. 3/16/91) of murder in the second degree, and CHRISTIAN RIVERA (D.O.B. 12/17/88) of Mission Hill of being accessory to murder after the fact. Sentencing will take place on Wednesday, May 1, at which time Judge Raymond Brassard is expected to sentence Soto to the mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole in 15 years. Rivera faces a maximum of seven years.

During the nine-day trial, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hickman presented evidence and testimony to prove that Hector Soto confronted Kenneth Soto after the two arrived with separate groups at a 7-11 on Centre Street in the early morning of Oct. 16, 2011.  The two men became involved in a physical altercation outside the convenience store. Rivera had accompanied Hector Soto and at one point became involved in the fight.

During the altercation, evidence showed, Hector Soto stabbed the victim multiple times and laughed as he fled the scene in a vehicle.  Kenneth Soto stumbled into the 7-11, where he collapsed.  He was pronounced dead at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Hector Soto and Rivera fled the scene and went to Rivera’s home.

Michael Schultz was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Hector Soto was represented by Jeffrey Karp.  Rivera was represented by Leonard Milligan.

–30–

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