Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Darrien Clark Sentenced to LWOP in 2013 OK Murder of Habib Hajimirzaei

  1. #1
    Administrator Moh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    13,014

    Darrien Clark Sentenced to LWOP in 2013 OK Murder of Habib Hajimirzaei


    Habib Hajimirzaei




    Jury Selection Continues For Trial Against Metro Man Accused Of Murder

    OKLAHOMA CITY - Jury selection is underway in Darrien Clark's death penalty trial.

    Clark is accused of the 2013 slaying of beloved store clerk 62-year-old Habib Hajimirzaei.

    The selection process consumed the first day of the trial.

    Its slow-paced process is expected when the death penalty is on the table and the case has been highly-publicized ahead of trial.

    The homicide at the Four Seasons Convenience Store near NE 63 Street and Santa Fe garnered a lot of media attention in 2013.

    Many customers came forward demanding justice for the clerk who they claimed was always kind and generous.

    "I don't see why anyone would want to kill him, he was such a good guy," a customer told News 9.

    Hajimirzaei was found shot to death behind the counter in July 2013.

    Investigators said he'd been shot several times during a robbery.

    "This store will not be the same ever again," remarked Malik Rashad.

    Rashad frequented the store when Hajimirzaei was the clerk.

    The state alleges Clark is the man seen in surveillance images captured by cameras inside the store.

    The images show a suspect pointing a gun inside the store on the night of the shooting.

    "I'm glad they finally got somebody whoever did it needed to be brought to justice," said Cory Thomas, a regular customer.

    Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

    During the selection process, attorneys asked potential jurors a number of questions related to potential punishment considerations.

    As the panel of prospective jurors narrowed, some expressed concerns about the potential length of the trial.

    Jury selection will resume 9 a.m. Tuesday.

    http://www.news9.com/story/34619618/...used-of-murder

  2. #2
    Senior Member CnCP Legend Mike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    4,795
    Jurors decide against death penalty for man convicted of OKC store clerk murder

    Oklahoma County jurors have decided against the death penalty for an Oklahoma City man they convicted of a fatal 2013 shooting of a well-liked convenience store clerk.

    Instead, Darrien Hasmii Clark, 29, was given a punishment of life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of Habib Hajimirzaei, 62. Clark denied involvement.

    The jury found Clark guilty earlier this month of first-degree murder and five other felonies related to what prosecutors called, “a violent and dangerous crime spree.” Monday night, the jury deliberated about five hours and chose the punishment for the murder count.

    "We are satisfied with the jury's verdict. Darrien Clark took the life of an innocent, hardworking man," Assistant District Attorney Merydith Easter said afterward. "He will live out the remainder of his life in prison and we believe that is justice for the family of Habib Hajimirzaei."

    During closing arguments Monday, defense attorneys begged the jurors to spare Clark's life. Easter, though, told the jury that justice is a death sentence.

    “Darrien Clark is the poster child for a continuing threat to society,” Easter said.

    On July 23, 2013, Clark robbed the 4 Seasons Gas & Food convenience store at 13 NW 63 in Oklahoma City, prosecutors alleged. The clerk, who was known by store regulars as “Mr. Nice Guy,” was working alone when Clark entered the store wielding a pistol and demanding money, according to prosecutors.

    “Begging for his life, Habib Hajimirzaei obeyed defendant's threatening commands and handed him all of the money in the cash register,” documents show. “This defendant decided that Habib Hajimirzaei's life would not be spared and shot him over and over again.”

    The victim suffered gunshot wounds to his face, head, neck, torso and right arm. Prosecutors alleged Clark, who goes by the street name “Cash,” executed the victim even after receiving all the money from behind the counter. Prosecutors called Clark a violent sociopath.

    Jurors were shown video captured by store cameras of Clark standing over the victim and firing.

    “Darrien Clark made Swiss cheese of Habib Hajimirzaei's body,” Assistant District Attorney Gayland Gieger told the jury. “I cannot describe the pain. It would be horrific.”

    Three weeks after the murder, Clark used the same gun to shoot Garland G. Lenoir IV, a friend, in Oklahoma City, prosecutors alleged. Lenoir, who was 29 at the time, survived being shot in the head. Clark claimed he shot in self-defense.

    Shortly after, Clark was arrested following a high speed chase with Bethany police.

    The jury also chose punishments ranging from eight years to life in prison for the other felony convictions, which included assault and battery with a deadly weapon and escape from custody.

    Clark didn't testify in his defense.

    http://newsok.com/article/5542469
    "There is a point in the history of a society when it becomes so pathologically soft and tender that among other things it sides even with those who harm it, criminals, and does this quite seriously and honestly. Punishing somehow seems unfair to it, and it is certain that imagining ‘punishment’ and ‘being supposed to punish’ hurts it, arouses fear in it." Friedrich Nietzsche

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •