Murad Dervish, a former graduate student at the University of Arizona, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Professor Thomas Meixner, who headed the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. Dervish, who was expelled earlier in 2022 due to conflicts with faculty, shot Meixner 11 times on October 5, 2022. Despite his defense arguing he was experiencing a psychotic episode, the court found substantial evidence of premeditation, including the purchase of a handgun a month before the incident.
In addition to the first-degree murder conviction, Dervish was found guilty of five other felony charges, including aggravated assault. He had been banned from campus in January 2022 due to ongoing issues with professors. After the shooting, Dervish fled the scene and was arrested three hours later, 120 miles from Tucson. Authorities found a loaded handgun in his vehicle that matched the shell casings at the crime scene. Witnesses testified that Dervish was wearing a disguise when he approached and shot Meixner near his office, underscoring the premeditated nature of the crime.
This tragic incident has left a profound impact on the University of Arizona community, highlighting the severe consequences of unresolved conflicts and the importance of campus safety measures. The life sentence ensures that Dervish will not have the opportunity for parole.
