In the second murder conviction of the year, Darius Gibson was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Terrence Kelley, Jr. on May 28, 2010.
“On April 26, 1992, my son was placed in my arms for the first time,” Kelley’s mother told the court in a victim impact statement.
“He was so precious, his face so flawless, his skin so soft, and I whispered ‘I love you’ for the first time. On May 28, 2010, I was led to a cold table where my beautiful son lay. This time his skin was not soft — only cold, very cold. And I whispered ‘I love you’ for the last time.”
Gibson’s was originally planned for Feb. 10, but due to severe weather, the date was postponed to Feb. 13.
According to Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum, Gibson had a run-in with Kelley, whom he thought robbed Gibson’s drug supplier and close friend, James Austin. The next day, Gibson ran after and shot Kelley six times on Creston Street, near Austin’s apartment.
Gibson’s defense filed four motions at the beginning of the hearing. The first was for an appeal as well as withdrawal of council and appointment of appellate council. The next were for the removal of the defendant during victim impact presentation, which was denied, and also a motion for the sentences to run concurrently with one in Plymouth County.
On the charge of intimidation of a witness, Gibson was sentenced to an additional five to seven years. During the three-week trial, Judge Linda Giles also warned Gibson for writing a letter to a juror and calling Austin’s mother. The judge had the physical letter and the phone call’s transcript.
Gibson turned and smiled to Kelley’s family as he was led out of the courtroom.
Miharu Sugie contributed to this report.
