Former grad student found guilty in on-campus killing of hydrology professor

On Tuesday, a former University of Arizona grad student was found guilty of shooting and killing a hydrology professor on campus. The jury at Pima County Superior Court took less than three hours to decide that 48-year-old Murad Dervish murdered Thomas Meixner.

In October 2022, Thomas Meixner, head of the University's Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, was shot 11 times near his office and did not survive. Professor Meixner was 52 years old. Dervish, a former master's degree student in atmospheric sciences, had been expelled from the university several months before the shooting due to ongoing issues with professors after receiving a bad grade.

Besides the murder charge, Dervish faced convictions on five other felony counts, including aggravated assault. This charge came from an incident where a bullet grazed a building manager during the shooting. Dervish showed no reaction as the verdicts were read. Sentencing is scheduled for June 24, and he could be facing life in prison.

Defense attorney Leo Masursky claimed during the trial that Dervish had a psychotic episode during the shooting and did not plan the act in advance. He suggested that Dervish should be held accountable but considered for a lesser charge of second-degree murder. This charge could have resulted in Dervish being confined to a psychiatric hospital rather than a prison.

"Murad Dervish lost his mind on Oct. 5, 2022," Masursky stated to CBS News. "He had severe mental health issues. He did not know right from wrong."

However, Pima County prosecutor Mark Hotchkiss presented evidence indicating Dervish had planned the murder. He highlighted that Dervish purchased a 9 mm handgun a month before the shooting, demonstrating premeditation.

"He is not guilty but insane. He's just guilty," Hotchkiss said about Dervish to the outlet.

Documents revealed that in February 2022, a flyer with Dervish's photograph was distributed to the university staff, instructing them to call 911 if Dervish entered the John W. Harshbarger Building where Meixner worked. The flyer and subsequent complaints were due to concerns over Dervish's behavior, which included reports of harassment and threats directed at staff members at Harshbarger.

On the day of the shooting, witnesses reported that Dervish was disguised with a surgical mask and baseball cap. He appeared outside Meixner's office and shot the professor. After the incident, Dervish fled but was apprehended three hours later. Arizona state troopers stopped his car on a highway more than 120 miles northwest of Tucson. A loaded handgun found in his vehicle was linked to the crime scene through matching shell casings.

The university community remains in shock over the loss of a respected professor and the harrowing events that unfolded on campus. As Dervish awaits his sentencing, the case remains a stark reminder of the potential for violence stemming from unresolved grievances and mental health issues. grievances and mental health issues.