Jerome Thompson, 45, of North Versailles has been convicted in the fatal shooting of a Pittsburgh man inside an East Hills apartment, wrapping up a case that hinged on video, phone data, and a trail leading back to an SUV. On April 30, a jury found Thompson guilty of second-degree murder and related counts after prosecutors said he and at least one accomplice forced their way into the victim’s home. The victim, 44-year-old Conrad Rozier, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and later died at a hospital.
Prosecutors point to cameras, phone pings and a Ford Explorer
At trial, prosecutors walked jurors through surveillance footage that they said showed two people arriving at Rozier’s apartment, along with a dark Ford Explorer spotted in the area the night of the shooting. Investigators later tied that SUV to Thompson. They also highlighted cellphone tower data and multiple shell casings recovered at the scene, noting that the casings came from at least two different firearms. Those details are laid out in the criminal complaint, as reported by WTAE.
Guilty on murder, conspiracy, robbery and gun charges
On April 30, jurors found Thompson guilty not only of second-degree murder but also of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and weapons offenses, according to WPXI. Prosecutors told the court they believe the killing happened during an attempted robbery inside Rozier’s apartment. Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced in July.
How investigators closed in on Thompson
Pittsburgh police first linked Thompson to the February shooting after reviewing the surveillance footage and cellphone records, then obtained an arrest warrant the following month. Early coverage noted that the dark Ford Explorer seen on video was registered to Thompson and that investigators believed he had left the area, according to Aduacy.
Legal note
Thompson’s convictions include second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and carrying a firearm without a license, as outlined in the criminal complaint reported by WTAE. During the trial, the Allegheny County prosecutor presented the surveillance evidence and cell-tower data to jurors. Court calendars list a sentencing hearing in July, as noted by WPXI.
