LI Man Found Guilty Of Murder After An Argument: DA

CENTER MORICHES, NY — A Riverhead man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty of murder following a 2021 argument, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Michael Gilbert, 29, of Riverhead, was found guilty by a jury of fatally shooting Tyrell Durham 37, of Moriches, following an argument between the victim and Gilbert’s girlfriend in 2021, Tierney said.

The evidence at trial established that on November 26, 2021, just after midnight, Gilbert overheard
an argument between Durham and Gilbert’s girlfriend over the telephone, the DA said. Gilbert got onto the telephone call and began arguing with Durham, culminating in Gilbert telling Durham to meet him outside— Coles resided in the same apartment building as Durham, Tierney said.

Durham and his girlfriend went outside the apartment, and moments later, Gilbert and his girlfriend appeared around the corner of the building, Tierney said.

Gilbert then fired a .22 caliber semiautomatic handgun at Durham six times, striking him three times in his body, Tierney added.

Durham was pronounced dead within one hour of his transport to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue, officials said.

Gilbert fled the scene but surrendered to Suffolk County Police Department homicide detectives on December 1, 2021, Tierney said.

On September 26 Gilbert was convicted after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court
Justice Anthony S. Senft, of second-degree murder, a violent felony, and second-degreee criminal possession of a weapon, a violent felony, Tierney said.

Gilbert was represented by Jonathan Manley, who was not immediately available for comment.

"What started out as a verbal argument escalated to murder," said Tierney. "We hope that this lengthy prison sentence provides some measure of justice for Tyrell’s family and friends, all of whom still mourn his tragic loss."