Store clerk who killed teen found guilty of second-degree murder

By , Daily Memphian Updated: August 15, 2019 6:30 PM CT | Published: August 15, 2019 6:04 PM CT

Anwar Ghazali, the 29-year-old man charged in the shooting death of 17-year-old Dorian Harris last year over a stolen $1.09 wine cooler, was found guilty of second-degree murder Thursday afternoon, Aug. 15.

The trial began Monday with Ghazali facing a first-degree murder charge. After three days of testimony, the jury convicted Ghazali of the lesser charge in the teen’s death.

Ghazali, who wore blue jail scrubs during the trial, did not testify. He faces a sentence of 15 to 25 years and must serve 85% before he is eligible for parole.

Harris was shot on March 29, 2018, by Ghazali, a store clerk at a North Memphis corner store, Top Stop Shop at 1127 Springdale Ave.

The clerk claimed that the teen stole a wine cooler from the store and fled on foot. Ghazali chased him and shot at him about a block from the store, but claimed he did not know if he injured the teen. 

Harris was found dead two days later on March 31 about four blocks from the store behind a house. The store clerk did not call police to report the theft or that he fired shots at the teen.

According to an arrest affidavit, witnesses said Ghazali walked back in the store and said to a witness, "I think I shot him.”

Beverly Loverson, a customer at the store the night of the shooting, testified that she witnessed Ghazali shoot at Harris as the teen ran away from the store. She testified that she begged him not to shoot the teen.

After the shooting, protesters held boycott demonstrations and called for the store to close.

The store owners, who are from Yemen, closed the store briefly, but it reopened under new management with Thornton Brown, an African-American man, running the business.

The shooting of Dorian Harris drew national attention because activists and residents said the incident raises broader questions about the value of black lives and the presence of immigrant-owned businesses in predominately African-American neighborhoods.

Harris’ death drew parallels to the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins, who was killed by a Korean store owner in Los Angeles in March 1991 after the owner alleged the girl stole a $1.79 bottle of orange juice.

The owner of the California store, Soon Ja Du, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and faced 16 years in prison, but a judge in the case gave her five years probation, community service and a $500 fine.

Gahzali’s attorney, Blake Ballin, argued during the trial that the shooting was reckless but not intentional and not premeditated. He also pointed to another person being the shooter. 

Harris’ family said if Ghazali had reported the theft and that he had fired shots at the teen, Harris may have been found sooner and not bled to death for two days behind a house.

Effie Fitch, Dorian’s grandmother, said she was pleased with the verdict, but thinks Ghazali should have been charged with first-degree murder.

“He took a life so it should be for a life,” Fitch said. “I thank the prosecutors for working with me and consistently fighting for Dorian.”

Shelby County Assistant District Attorneys Tracye Jones and Lora Fowler tried the case for the state and said they respected the jury’s verdict.

“I’m glad that they held him accountable in some way for his actions because Dorian Harris did not deserve to have his life ended like that.”

Defense Attorney Ballin said he also respected the jury’s decision because instead of a life sentence for first-degree murder, Ghazali is facing less time in prison. 

“Anytime that you have a client facing life in prison and you avoid that, that’s a win,” Ballin said.

Ghazali, who was born in Yemen and is a U.S. citizen, never posted the $1 million bond on which he was held, and has been held in jail since his arrest last year. His family and friends who filled the courtroom did want to speak to the media after the verdict. 

Ghazali will be sentenced on the second-degree murder charge on Sept. 23. 

Topics

Anwar Ghazali Dorian Harris Homicides shootings
Yolanda Jones

Yolanda Jones

Yolanda Jones covers criminal justice issues and general assignment news for The Daily Memphian. She previously was a reporter at The Commercial Appeal.

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