Life without parole for Hyde Park sub-shop murderer

A Suffolk Superior Court judge today sentenced Hassaun Harris to life in prison without parole for the 2006 stabbing death of Jeff Igbineweka of Roslindale over a woman.

"You took something away from me and my family," Shainah Rafael said from the witness stand. "He's not here to see [our daughter] graduate from high school or college ... Every day she asks me, 'Is Daddy Jeff with Jesus?' It's hard. It hurts."

Suffolk County prosecutors charged Harris, 33, stabbed Igbineweka, 28, in the D'Angelo's sub shop on Hyde Park Avenue on Oct. 12, 2006. Igbineweka ran out as he dialed 911 and collapsed across the street in the doorway of the Piece of Pizza pizzeria.

Prosecutors said Igbineweka was eating at the sub shop around 9:30 p.m. when his companion got a phone call from Harris, from whom she had broken off a relationship the year before. In a statement, the DA's office recounts what happened next:

Following that phone call, Harris showed up at the restaurant unexpectedly and immediately confronted the couple. The two men allegedly exchanged words, before agreeing to settle their issues outside.

"Shoot the fair ones," the victim allegedly said, meaning that they should settle their score with just their fists.

"This is not what the defendant had in mind," [Assistant DA Ian] Polumbaum said. The two men became engaged in a scuffle inside the restaurant before Harris charged at Igbineweka and stabbed him in the chest as he backed away.

More from the DA's office.