BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER FOLLOWING A TURF DISPUTE OVER MARIJUANA SALES

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the murder conviction of a twenty four year old man in the shooting death of another man because of a dispute over marijuana street sales.

Ahib Paul, of 1460 Washington Avenue, the Bronx, was found guilty of killing forty three year old Derrick Thompson on July 1, 2001, on the sidewalk in front of 553 East 169th Street between Fulton and Third Avenues.

Paul, also known as "Jermaine", was convicted of two counts of Murder in the 2nd degree, one count of Manslaughter in the 1st degree, one count of Attempted Robbery in the 1st degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 1st degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree. Paul was convicted of murdering Thompson under two different legal theories; he was found guilty of intentionally causing the victim’s death and also was found guilty of murder during the commission of a felony.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Troy Webber set sentencing for Tuesday, September 23, 2003 in Part M40. Paul is facing a maximum sentence of twenty five years to life imprisonment.

The jury heard testimony that the fatal shooting was the culmination of a turf dispute over the course of several days regarding the sale of marijuana in the vicinity of the deadly confrontation. Shortly before Thompson was gunned down, he was approached by the defendant who tried to grab a bag of marijuana that Thompson was holding. The two men struggled before Paul managed to seize the bag. As Paul walked away with the marijuana, Thompson threw something at Paul’s back prompting him to turn around and shoot in Thompson’s direction. The bullet missed and Thompson fell to the sidewalk for cover as Paul continued to approach him. Paul stood over Thompson and fired another shot which struck him in the neck and severed his spine. While Thompson lay paralyzed, Paul searched the victim’s pockets before fleeing. Thompson was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Assistant District Attorneys Leah Takantzas and Michelle Rodney are prosecuting the case.