Sacramento, CA – In Sacramento County, two men were convicted for the murder of another man following an argument over social media. This incident led to their sentencing last week; one received 75 years to life and the other 50 years to life in prison. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the dispute involved Elijah Utsey and the deceased, Terrance Hanes, which escalated from a social media disagreement beginning on July 1, 2022.
Utsey had threatened Hanes on Instagram, stating, “On everything I love I will leave you slumped.” By July 4, Hanes was discovered deceased from gunshot wounds. Investigators found 17 shell casings at the scene, indicating shots were fired from two different firearms, and Hanes had been hit over ten times. Although the guns were never recovered, it was known that Utsey had previously visited Hanes’ home and had gone there again on the day of the murder with Joshua Berry.
Security footage captured Utsey and Berry arriving at Hanes’ residence in Berry’s red Mitsubishi, entering the home, and shortly after, gunshots were heard. The men were then seen running back to the vehicle and fleeing the scene. Following the murder, both men changed their phones and numbers. Berry also stopped using his Mitsubishi, and Utsey told friends on social media that he needed to change his gun.
On August 17, 2023, a jury found them guilty of first-degree murder and additional charges, including evidence that both had used firearms during the crime and that Utsey had a previous felony conviction for first-degree burglary. Consequently, Utsey was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison, and Berry received a sentence of 50 years to life.