North Carolina Man Sentenced to Life for Executing Boyfriend, Driving Around with Body for Hours

Left: Tahj Matthias Ji'Reh Wall. Right: Melvin Hopper

A North Carolina man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his boyfriend, whom he shot twice in the head and then drove around with his body for more than six hours.

Tahj Matthias Ji'Reh Wall, 27, was convicted of first-degree murder by a Gaston County jury on Thursday in the death of 40-year-old Melvin Hopper. The killing occurred on May 27, 2021, during a heated argument in Gastonia, approximately 40 miles west of Charlotte.

According to prosecutors, Wall shot Hopper once in the back of the head during the dispute. When Hopper survived the initial gunshot, Wall fired a second, fatal shot to his head. During closing arguments, prosecutor Kristen Northup told the jury that Wall “executed” Hopper and emphasized that Hopper was still alive after the first shot.

After the murder, Wall placed Hopper's body in the passenger seat of his vehicle and drove aimlessly for hours, eventually reaching Charlotte. During the ride, Wall showed the body to at least two people, including a former high school friend and another acquaintance, both of whom testified during the trial.

One witness testified that Wall picked her up in Charlotte’s Steele Creek neighborhood and soon began discussing a troubled relationship. According to her, Wall confessed to the murder and lifted a purple blanket to reveal Hopper’s body in the front seat.

“I remember him saying, ‘Yes, I killed him,’” she recalled. The witness described Wall as disturbingly calm—showing no fear, panic, or visible emotion.

Another individual testified that he too was shown the body and felt immediate fear upon realizing what Wall had done. Both witnesses confirmed that Wall displayed no signs of remorse or distress.

Wall was arrested shortly after Charlotte-Mecklenburg police located Hopper’s body at 12:18 p.m. on Barrands Lane. The investigation quickly led back to Wall, who was named as the primary suspect.

During the trial, Wall’s defense team argued that he was a victim of prolonged domestic abuse. His attorney, James Exum, claimed that Hopper had regularly beaten and threatened Wall, including on the day of the murder. The defense said Hopper reached for a gun during their argument, prompting Wall to shoot in fear for his life.

The defense also attempted to explain the post-homicide behavior, saying Wall was trying to find someone to talk to and planned to turn himself in, stating, “I was going to turn myself in, but I needed to talk to momma first.”

Despite these arguments, the jury sided with the prosecution and handed down a guilty verdict and life sentence.

Hopper, remembered in his obituary as a vibrant and compassionate man, was involved in the Black Lives Matter movement and community activities, including helping with a dance team. He was known for his love of cooking, dancing, and his joy in bringing people together.