High School Football Star Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Drive-By Shooting

High School Football Star Convicted of
First-Degree Murder in Drive-By Shooting

June 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
(213) 974-3525

LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach Polytechnic High School football star was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges today in connection with a Culver City car-to-car shooting a year and a half ago.

The jury deliberated over two days before returning guilty verdicts against 19-year-old Jurray Willie Casey. Besides first-degree murder, Casey was convicted of one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle. The jury also found true gang-related firearm allegations.

Deputy District Attorney Hamid Towfigh said Casey faces three consecutive 25-year-to-life prison terms when he returns to court on Aug. 6 for sentencing by Superior Court Judge James R. Dabney. Dabney presided over the trial at the court’s Airport Branch.

Casey and another young man were charged in January 2006 with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Rashad Ali on Jan. 8, 2006. The case against Casey’s co-defendant was dismissed prior to trial.

The defendant had been a star defensive end and linebacker for Poly High School. He and the former co-defendant, both 17 at the time, were in Culver City to attend a party. The shooting occurred when they were leaving.

Casey has remained in custody on $2 million bail since his arrest on Jan. 9, 2006.

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