Cjay Hobbs, the getaway driver charged in the death of Toronto rapper Houdini, has been found guilty of second-degree murder.
According to the Toronto Star, the jury deliberated for just under four hours before coming to their verdict.
While prosecutors argued that Hobbs knew the shooter had a firearm on them, the defence claimed that he and the said shooter, Jack Loor who's now deceased, opened fire following a drug deal gone wrong.
However, the defence admitted that Hobbs was the driver of the vehicle and that a glove covered with his DNA had been found burning in a field in Vaughan.
Hobbs, in turn, testified that he only knew of Houdini from his music and that he had no problems with him.
Superior Court Justice Brian O'Mara explained that the jury could convict Hobbs of first-degree murder if they were certain that the murder was premeditated while the second-degree murder charge would imply that the murder was still intentional but not planned in advance.
Regardless of the verdict, Hobbs would be facing a life sentence. The difference between the two, however, would be whether Hobbs gets an earlier chance at parole.
The jury was also not aware of any motive, despite some speculation that Houdini had been targeted. They were also unaware that Hobbs and several others had been charged with the first-degree murder of a 12-year-old boy who was hit in the neck by a stray bullet in 2020.
Hobbs' sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 7.
