N.C. man guilty in drug dealer's murder

A North Carolina man was convicted Wednesday of robbing and killing an Inwood drug dealer while buying marijuana from him.

A Nassau County jury convicted James Currie, 26, of Charlotte, of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree robbery, one count of second-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Jurors deliberated for less than four hours, prosecutors said.

He will be sentenced Nov. 28 by Nassau County Judge Tammy Robbins and faces 25 years to life in prison. Currie will be sent to Mecklenberg County, N.C. to face murder charges in the 2010 shooting death of Brooks Dangelo Crist.

Currie's defense lawyer, Dana Grossblatt of Jericho, said her client maintains his innocence.

"While we appreciate the thought and thoroughness the jury gave to this case, we're disappointed with the verdict," Grossblatt said.

Prosecutors said that on Sept. 4, 2010, Currie and another man, Tyshaun Jacobs, 24, of Oceanside, went to the Inwood home of Desmond Kelly to buy marijuana. While they were there, prosecutors said, one of the men produced a .357 Magnum revolver and shot Kelly five times.

Currie and Jacobs stole marijuana and cash from the house, prosecutors said. They said it is not clear whether Currie or Jacobs pulled the trigger.

Police arrested Currie about 15 minutes after the shooting, prosecutors said. Jacobs, who could be tried as early as next week, was arrested two days later.

Jacobs' lawyer, Michael Elbert, of Mineola, said Jacobs denies any involvement in the robbery or shooting.