In the summer of 2017, a long-simmering neighborhood feud in Philadelphia's Frankford section tragically erupted, claiming the life of 42-year-old August Dempsey and her boyfriend, 45-year-old Robert DePaul. The couple, who lived together on the 4700 block of James Street, were fatally shot in the early morning hours of July 16, 2017. Both victims were discovered with gunshot wounds to the back of their heads.
The initial investigation quickly focused on their next-door neighbor,
69-year-old Kenneth Hoyle. Authorities learned that a history of disputes and arguments had plagued the relationship between Hoyle and the couple. On the night of the shooting, another altercation had reportedly occurred, this time concerning loud noise from DePaul working on his motorcycle. Hoyle admitted to the shooting, but claimed it was an act of self-defense, alleging that Dempsey and DePaul were trying to climb his fence. He was initially taken into custody but was released pending further investigation, a move that sparked frustration and fear among the victims' families and the community.
In the days that followed, the families of August Dempsey and Robert DePaul, along with their community, rallied for justice. Dempsey's two sons, then 20 and 14, were at the forefront of this effort, delivering a petition with over 5,000 signatures to the District Attorney's Office demanding that charges be filed against Hoyle. Their persistence and the public outcry paid off. Nearly two weeks after the shooting, following what the District Attorney's office called a 'thorough investigation,' Kenneth Hoyle was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime.
In 2018, Kenneth Hoyle stood trial for the murders of August Dempsey and Robert DePaul. Despite his continued claims of self-defense, a jury found him guilty on all charges. On October 19, 2018, he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would spend the remainder of his life behind bars for the violent end he brought to a neighborhood dispute. An appeal of his conviction was later unsuccessful.
