In the quiet neighborhood of Green Valley Ranch in Denver, Colorado, the body of 19-year-old male, Randy Canister III, was discovered on the side of the road at East Robins Drive and Ireland Street on the evening of February 17, 2015. He had been shot multiple times and left for dead. The initial investigation into the homicide suggested that Canister was killed over a cell phone and some cash.
The investigation led to the arrests of two men, 20-year-old Qashelby Frazier-Moore and
18-year-old Kentrall Hines. Both men were subsequently charged with first-degree murder and felony murder. The charges alleged that Frazier-Moore and Hines were in a car with Canister when they shot him and abandoned his body. The circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting were believed to be a planned robbery. In addition to the two primary suspects, authorities also sought a 19-year-old woman, Ashyonte Johnson, who was wanted for aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery in connection with the incident. Another individual, Ryan Hobbs, was also arrested and charged with robbery.
After an 11-day trial, a Denver jury reached a split verdict in the case against the two main suspects. Kentrall Hines was found guilty of one count of murder, attempt to commit aggravated robbery, and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional 16 years for the conspiracy conviction. In contrast, his co-defendant, Qashelby Frazier-Moore, was acquitted on all counts.
