BRONX MAN IS SENTENCED TO UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR A TURF WAR MURDER INVOLVING MARIJUANA

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that Ahib Paul, 24, of the Bronx has been sentenced to a maximum term of up to life imprisonment for the July 2001 shooting death of Derrick Thompson, 43, stemming from a dispute over marijuana street sales.

Paul, of 1460 Washington Avenue, was convicted last July of 2 counts of Murder in the 2nd degree, 1 count of Manslaughter in the 1st degree, 1 count of Attempted Robbery in the 1st degree, and 1 count each of Criminal Possession of a weapon in the 1st and 3rd degrees.

State Supreme Court Justice Troy K. Webber sentenced Paul to concurrent terms of 20 years to life imprisonment on each count of murder in the 2nd degree, 20 years imprisonment on the charge of manslaughter in the 1st degree, 10 years imprisonment on the charge of attempted robbery, 15 years imprisonment on the charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the 1st degree, and 3 ½ to 7 years imprisonment on the charge of possession of 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 found guilty of murder during the commission of a felony.

During the trial 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 553 East 169th Street. 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 that struck him in the neck and severed his spine. While Thompson lay paralyzed, Paul searched the victim’s pockets before fleeing. Thompson was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Assistant District Attorney’s Michele Rodney and Leah Takantzas prosecuted this case.