Closing arguments set in trial of University of Arizona grad student accused of killing a professor

TUCSON, Ariz. — Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday in the trial of a former University of Arizona graduate student accused of killing a professor on campus two years ago.

Murad Dervish, 48, faces seven charges, including first-degree murder in the death of Thomas Meixner, 52, who was shot nine times near his office and pronounced dead at a Tucson hospital.

Defense attorney Leo Masursky told jurors that the killing was not premeditated and that Dervish is “guilty of second-degree murder except insanity,” an insanity defense.

Pima County prosecutors said Dervish planned the shooting and knew what he was doing.

Meixner headed the university’s Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences and was an expert on desert water issues.

Dervish completed the master’s degree in atmospheric sciences, which falls under the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences.

Authorities said Dervish was expelled from the school in January 2022 and later expelled due to ongoing problems with professors after receiving a bad grade.

According to a criminal complaint, a flyer with a photo of Dervish was distributed to university staff in February 2022 with instructions to call 911 if he ever entered the John W. Harshbarger Building, which houses the hydrology department.

The complaint also stated that Dervish was not allowed on school grounds and that he had been the subject of several reports of harassment and threats against staff members who worked at Harshbarger.

Witnesses said Dervish was wearing a surgical mask and baseball cap as a disguise when he showed up outside Meixner’s office on the afternoon of Oct. 5, 2022, and shot the professor.

Dervish was arrested after Arizona state troopers stopped his car on a highway 120 miles (193 kilometers) northwest of Tucson.

Authorities said a loaded 9mm handgun was found in the vehicle and the ammunition was consistent with shell casings found at the shooting scene.

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