Felon arrested for sale of gun that killed McNair
WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal agents have arrested a convicted murderer for allegedly providing the gun later used to kill ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair.
Adrian J. Gilliam Jr. was arrested by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
A criminal complaint unsealed Friday in Nashville says that Gilliam — who was convicted of murder and attempted armed robbery in 1993 in Florida — admitted he sold the gun to the woman who later shot McNair.
McNair was shot to death on July 4 at his condo by his 20-year-old mistress Sahel Kazemi, who then turned the gun on herself.
The complaint, signed by ATF agent Mickey French, charges Gilliam with illegally possessing a firearm, which he is barred from doing as a felon.
Detectives traced the gun to its 2002 sale at a pawn shop, according to the complaint. Gilliam eventually bought it from an individual for $100 about a year ago. According to court documents, Gilliam admitted to detectives he sold the gun to Kazemi for $100.
Federal prosecutors in Nashville planned to announce the case at a press conference later Friday.
Police announced in a news conference last week that Kazemi purchased “a fully loaded nine millimeter pistol from a private individual” who met her in the parking lot of the mall where she worked at a Dave & Busters restaurant.
Kazemi met the person when she was trying to sell her car. She mentioned to him that she was looking to buy a gun and he told her he had one for sale, police said. The sale took place two days before McNair’s shooting.
Authorities believe McNair was asleep when Kazemi put the pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. She put two more slugs into his chest and a fourth bullet into the other side of his head before shooting herself.
McNair, a married father of four, walked away from the NFL last year. “Air McNair” was known as a gutsy quarterback who played through serious injuries and led his Tennessee Titans to a Super Bowl.
Though the gun sale in question did not involve a licensed gun dealer, the ATF recently warned all gun dealers in Tennessee that they must still comply with federal gun laws despite a new state law aimed at easing such requirements for weapons manufactured and sold in-state.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9820438/Felon-arrested-for-sale-of-gun-that-killed-McNair
Although we are greatly saddened and sympathetic to the death of Steve Mcnair, Anthony Partipilo, Senior Criminal Attorney with over 35 years of experience, and America’s Criminal Defense Group are of the opinion that we should not be so quick to judge Adrian J. Gilliam, Jr. He is still entitled to a fair trial and is still innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peers.Â
Anyone accused of illegally possessing a firearm, or any other crime, should contact Senior Case Manager, Todd Terry (non-attorney) at 818-225-2468 or visit www.americascriminaldefense.com to schedule a free consultation.Â
First off, Gilliams criminal histroy, seems to have stemed from 2 differernt incidents. He recieved 2 sentence’s ran concurrent. So for 2 violent crimes he only recieved one sentence. Sounds like a deal there. Then after release from florida, he should of been on parole. What happened on his parole?
This case, gilliam is the only one that says he sold the gun to kazime. There is no colloberating proof of this sale. There is proof that when the gun was supposely sold to Kazime in the parking lot, that she was somewhere other then the parking lot. Theres a post on craig list that was dated and time stamped for the time she was supposely in the parking lot buying the gun.
Gilliams alibi of seeing kazime to possibly buy her Kia is a busted alibi. On June 30 2009 he was arrested in Nashville for driving under suspension. No License means he couldnt of bought any vehicals.
If the gun isnt sold at the time that Gilliam confesses it to have been sold. Then the gun is his and is found at a double homicide. With the piroir 3 second degree murder charge, i believe there is more investigation to be done.
Comment by AJackson — August 7, 2009 @ 8:38 am