Tyrese Haspil, a 25-year-old personal assistant to Fahim Saleh, a tech CEO, stands trial for allegedly decapitating his employer in his New York City apartment in July 2020. Haspil’s defense attorney, Sam Roberts, claimed on May 24, 2024 that his client committed the horrific act out of fear that his girlfriend, Marine Chaveuz, would leave him upon discovering his theft of substantial amounts from his employer.
Saleh, a 33-year-old venture capitalist and CEO of the Nigeria-based motorbike startup Gokada, had hired Haspil to oversee his personal and business matters. Saleh viewed Haspil as a protégé. However, in January 2020, Saleh discovered a $90,000 shortfall in a corporate spending account and confronted Haspil. Instead of taking legal action, Saleh agreed to have Haspil repay the sum in installments.
Despite this opportunity, Haspil continued to misappropriate funds from Saleh’s company via a PayPal account. Prosecutors suggest that upon realizing Saleh had discovered an additional theft of $400,000, Haspil resorted to desperate measures. They claim that Haspil carefully orchestrated Saleh’s murder to evade legal action and to keep his girlfriend ignorant of his illegal activities.
Prosecutors allege that on July 13, 2020, Haspil forced entry into Saleh’s $2.4 million apartment located on the Lower East Side, New York City, where he subdued Saleh with a Taser before fatally stabbing him. They provided a detailed account of the chilling events, including Haspil dismembering Saleh’s body, severing his head and limbs.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Linda Ford stated in court, “During this time, he not only planned the murder but also how to escape justice. He intended to cover up the crime, eliminate his debt, and prevent Fahim Saleh from testifying against him.”
The investigation revealed that Haspil had used Saleh’s credit cards to purchase materials to clean the crime scene, including a Taser, cleaning supplies, and a saw. However, his efforts to conceal his crime fell short. An “anti-felon disk” identification tag, matching the Taser Haspil purchased, was discovered at the crime scene.
Even though Haspil professed his dedication to Chaveuz, he was seen with another woman days after the alleged murder. Sources indicate that he was with an unidentified woman in Noho (North of Houston St., New York City), purchasing birthday balloons and other items using Saleh’s stolen money. It is reported that he planned a birthday celebration for this woman at a loft-style Airbnb on Crosby Street, where police later found pricey gifts purchased with Saleh’s money, including a leather APC tote bag and Christian Louboutin shoes.
During the trial, defense attorney Roberts argued that Haspil’s actions were a result of trauma that started with a challenging childhood, marked by years of abuse from his schizophrenic mother. In Roberts’ view, Haspil’s actions, though irrational, were understandable in his perspective at that time. He argued that Haspil was under “extreme emotional disturbance” and proposed the jury consider a manslaughter conviction instead of first-degree murder. A manslaughter conviction would mean a lighter sentence of five to 25 years in prison, compared to the mandatory minimum of 20 years to life for first-degree murder.
“While his actions may seem irrational to us,” Roberts stated, “they made a certain sense to him at that moment, given his perspective and circumstances.”
The prosecution presented a contrasting picture, arguing that Haspil’s actions were premeditated and calculated. They introduced a substantial amount of evidence including security footage, financial records, and forensic findings which they believe prove Haspil planned the murder well in advance. They suggested that Haspil’s motive was to conceal his theft and evade the repercussions of his actions.
The jury listened to a distressing 911 call from Saleh’s cousin, who found his dismembered body in his apartment. She discovered his torso in the living room, surrounded by construction bags. The gruesome scene shocked even experienced investigators.
Haspil has pleaded not guilty to the charges. As the trial progresses, the jury will need to determine if Haspil’s actions were a result of an emotional breakdown or a carefully planned crime intended to avoid prosecution and maintain his relationship with Chaveuz.
Haspil remains in custody during the trial. His defense team is advocating for a reduced charge of manslaughter, while the prosecutors are striving for a conviction on first-degree murder charges, which could result in Haspil spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
