A former University of Arizona graduate student was convicted of first-degree murder for the fatal on-campus shooting of a respected hydrology professor, following his expulsion from the institution months earlier.
University of Arizona Shooting Conviction
The Thomas Meixer murder is now closer to justice. The Pima County Superior Court jury delivers a guilty verdict against Murad Dervish, 48, for his wreckless act as the professor.
The jury has found that the former graduate student shot Meixer 11 times near his office in October 2022. Dervish also faced five additional felony counts, including aggravated assault, as a bullet he fired grazed a building manager.
Throughout the reading of the verdicts, Dervish remained impassive. His sentencing is scheduled for June 24, when he could receive a life sentence.
Thomas Meixner, 52, was the head of the university's Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. His death has left a significant void in the academic community.
Dervish had been enrolled in the master's degree program in atmospheric sciences before his expulsion in January 2022, which followed persistent conflicts with faculty members after he received a poor grade.
Murad Dervish's Trial and Defense
In his closing argument on Monday, defense attorney Leo Masursky contended that Dervish was experiencing a severe psychotic episode during the shooting, arguing that the crime lacked premeditation.
Masursky urged the jury to consider a lesser charge of second-degree murder, which could have resulted in Dervish being confined to a psychiatric hospital instead of prison.
Murad Dervish lost his mind on October 5, 2022, Masursky stated, emphasizing that Dervish's mental health issues were profound and that he did not understand the difference between right and wrong at the time of the incident.
However, Pima County prosecutor Mark Hotchkiss provided compelling evidence suggesting that Dervish had meticulously planned the killing.
He highlighted that Dervish had purchased a 9 mm handgun a month before the shooting and used it to kill Meixner. "He is not guilty but insane. He's just guilty," Hotchkiss argued, rejecting the defense's plea for a lesser charge.
Campus Safety Concerns and Incident Aftermath
The gravity of the situation became apparent earlier in the year when university staff circulated a flyer with Dervish's photograph in February 2022.
The flyer instructed faculty and staff to call 911 if Dervish was seen entering the John W. Harshbarger Building, where Meixner worked. This precaution was due to Dervish's escalating behavior, which included multiple reports of harassment and threats against staff members.
Witnesses recounted that on the day of the shooting, Dervish attempted to disguise himself by wearing a surgical mask and a baseball cap.
He approached Meixner's office and shot him multiple times, creating chaos on campus. Following the shooting, Dervish fled the scene, but authorities apprehended him three hours later.
Arizona state troopers stopped his car on a highway more than 120 miles northwest of Tucson. A loaded handgun was found in the vehicle, with ammunition matching the shell casings at the scene.
The university community remains in shock and mourning, grappling with the loss of a beloved professor and the violent circumstances surrounding his death.
As Dervish awaits his sentencing, the incident underscores the critical importance of addressing mental health issues and ensuring campus safety.
