A Roslindale man was formally charged with murder today for the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Kenneth Soto outside a Jamaica Plain convenience store last fall, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Mark Lee, deputy chief of Conley’s Homicide Unit, HECTOR “NEMO” SOTO (D.O.B. 3/16/91) was ordered held without bail by West Roxbury District Court Judge Ernest Sarason while he awaits trial on the Oct. 16, 2011, stabbing death.

Members of the Boston Police Department Youth Violence Strike Force and District E-13 detectives took Hector Soto into custody last night amid the ongoing investigation. Investigators believe the two men knew each other but were not relatives.

Lee told the court that the victim and defendant arrived with separate groups in separate vehicles at the parking lot of a 7-11 on Centre Street prior to the early-morning altercation. Kenneth Soto, who had been out with friends, victim entered the store.

When Kenneth Soto exited the store, investigators believe, Hector Soto approached him and a physical altercation ensued. Hector Soto allegedly stabbed Kenneth Soto during that altercation. Hector Soto and his associates then left the scene in their vehicle, investigators say.

Based on video surveillance imagery, witness statements, and forensic evidence, a warrant charging Hector Soto with murder was approved late last month. Boston Police arrested the defendant on that warrant last night.

Hector Soto’s arrest for murder is the fourth this year for a 2011 homicide committed in Boston.
The defendant was represented today by attorney Samuel Goldberg. He will return to court on April 6.