Fingerprint and Members of the Community Lead to Murder Conviction

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions against a gunman who killed a man at a local hotel. Alonzo Hoskins, 31, was convicted of First Degree Felony Murder and Especially Aggravated Robbery. Judge Bob McGee imposed the mandatory life sentence on the murder count and set the case for sentencing on July 19 for the robbery count.

In a four-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Phil Morton explained to the jury that on May 30, 2017, Knox County Sheriff’s Office Detective Heather Reyda responded to a shooting in the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn at 7525 Crosswood Boulevard in Strawberry Plains. Surveillance video recovered from the motel shows Hoskins exiting a vehicle driven by the victim, raising his arm, and shooting the victim inside the vehicle. Hoskins then flees the area. KCSO Latent Print Examiner Tom Finch matched a fingerprint found inside the vehicle to Hoskins, and members from the community identified Hoskins from the surveillance video.

“Thanks to the members of our community who came forward, we were able to identify and convict this dangerous offender,” said DA Charme Allen.

First Degree Murder carries a punishment of life in prison, meaning Hoskins must serve fifty-one years in prison before he is eligible for parole. Especially Aggravated Robbery is a Class A felony that carries a punishment between fifteen and twenty-five years.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.