A former University of Arizona graduate student is currently on trial for the shooting death of a professor on campus two years ago. The defendant, 48-year-old Murad Dervish, is facing seven felony charges, including first-degree murder in the killing of 52-year-old Thomas Meixner.
During the trial, the defense argued that Dervish was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the shooting, while the prosecution maintained that the crime was premeditated. Prosecutor Mark Hotchkiss stated that Dervish shot the professor 11 times and had purchased a handgun a month prior to the incident, indicating premeditation.
