Tyrese Haspil, the former personal assistant of tech entrepreneur Fahim Saleh, has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
The sentencing took place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, following Haspil's conviction for the brutal murder and dismemberment of Saleh.
Fahim Saleh, the founder of Gokada, a ride-hailing motorcycle startup in Nigeria, was discovered dead in his Manhattan apartment on July 13, 2020. Prosecutors revealed that Haspil, who had been embezzling funds from Saleh's businesses, feared exposure after Saleh offered him a chance to repay the stolen money instead of pressing charges.
In a desperate attempt to cover up his ongoing theft, Haspil followed Saleh into his apartment, incapacitated him with a Taser, and then stabbed him to death. The next day, Haspil returned to dismember the body but was interrupted when Saleh's cousin discovered the gruesome scene.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg commented on the sentencing, stating, “Today, Tyrese Haspil is facing accountability for brutally murdering and decapitating Fahim Saleh, a kind, generous, and empathetic person who positively impacted the world. Even after the defendant stole from him to fund a lavish lifestyle, Mr. Saleh still gave him a second chance. While today’s sentence won’t bring Mr. Saleh back, I hope it provides his family a sense of closure as they continue to mourn his painful loss.”
Public reaction to the sentencing has been mixed. Some believe the 40-year sentence is insufficient given the heinous nature of the crime. One commenter expressed, “This sentence is not good enough considering the heinous crime. The family will be saddened. They didn't get closure at all.” Another added, “I wish they gave him the death sentence. I followed this case back then; so, so sad. The way he mutilated the body. Fear some friends!”
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