Conviction in murder and robbery of Inwood man

It took a Nassau County jury four hours on Tuesday to convict James Currie of murder and other felonies in connection with the shooting and robbery of Inwood resident Desmond Kelly, last year.

Currie, 26, of Charlotte, N.C., was convicted of murder-second degree, two counts of robbery-first degree, robbery-second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon-second degree.

He and Tyshaun Jacobs, 24, of Oceanside, went to Kelly’s home on Sept. 4, 2010 at 9 p.m. to buy marijuana. During the transaction, either Currie or Jacobs took out a .357 Magnum revolver and shot Kelly five times, including three shots to his back. Then Currie and Jacobs took marijuana and an unspecified amount of cash.

Fifteen minutes after the shooting, 4th Precinct officers arrested Currie. Jacobs, who awaits trial on identical charges, was arrested two days later. At the time of his arrest, Currie was on the run from a murder charge in North Carolina. He is wanted in Mecklenburg County for the shooting of Brooks Dangelo Crist on Aug. 7, 2010.

“This was a senseless act of extreme violence and all over some drugs and a small amount of money,” said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. “Now, one man is dead, another awaits trial and James Currie is facing decades behind bars.” Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 28.