MEMPHIS, TN - Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Friday that a jury had convicted a Memphis teen as indicted for the murder of a convenience store owner during a 2005 attempted robbery.

The jury found Lamario Hill, 18, guilty of first degree murder, attempted especially aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4 for the additional crimes.

The victim, Ali Alothmani, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery on August 23, 2005 at his store, the Linc Mini Mart located at 2638 Southern Avenue.

A co-defendant, Nicholas Fletcher, 19, is scheduled to go to trial on May 14 for the same charges. Both Hill and Fletcher were 17 years old at the time of the incident. At the request of the D.A.'s Office, both were transferred from Juvenile Court to Criminal Court to be prosecuted as adults.

It is the policy of the District Attorney's Office to request that juveniles who are 16 or 17 years old be transferred to Criminal Court if they are charged with committing a violent crime.

The charge of first degree murder is covered under the D.A.'s "No Deals" policy on violent crimes, which also applies to juveniles. Exceptions are made to policy for legal or ethical reasons.

Assistant District Attorneys James Wax and Michelle Kimbril Parks prosecuted this case.