Raleigh store owner found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in murder trial

A verdict has been reached in the high-profile murder trial that involves a Raleigh store owner.

2024-12-18

Taiseer "Taz" Zarka was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter on Wednesday as a high-profile murder trial came to a conclusion after hours of deliberations from the jury.

Zarka was previously charged with second-degree murder in the 2023 stabbing death of Mark Garrity at the downtown convenience store he owns.

Around 11 a.m., the jury was ready to re-enter the courtroom after roughly six hours of deliberations. Family members were visibly emotional as the ruling was read. Zarka appeared stoic. 

After the verdict was read, the court determined there were two people younger than 18 in the store at the time of the stabbing. It could have constituted as an aggravating factor, which could have extended Zarka's sentence.

However, the jurors were split 8-4 about the aggravating factor, so Judge Keith Gregory declared a mistrial on this part of the trial.

Sentencing is set for Thursday morning along with impacts statements from Garrity's family and friends. Gregory said up to 12 people can speak on Garrity's behalf.

There were more than five days of testimony and eight days of court proceedings.

On Tuesday, jurors wanted to get another look at the surveillance video. They also asked the judge if Zarka, the store owner, had a right to search Garrity's bag.

Zarka said Garrity stole a Gatorade from his shop along South Wilmington Street.

On Friday, the jury was able to tour the store.

Zarka could have faced up to 20 years in prison if he was convicted of second-degree murder. With the voluntary manslaughter conviction, his maximum sentence will be approximately five years. Zarka has served about three months time before bonding out.

On Monday, Zarka claimed self-defense on the stand. Prosecutors said Zarka stabbed Garrity three times during an alleged shoplifting attempt on April 6, 2023. Zarka answered questions and explained his actions while the court watched surveillance video of the altercation during a cross examination.