Jury Convicts Man In Death Of New York City Teacher -- Jonathan Levin, Son Of Prominent Family, Was Killed For ATM Card

NEW YORK - A man who befriended his high-school English teacher and then killed him in order to steal his bank card has been convicted of murder and could be sent to prison for life.

Corey Arthur, 20, was convicted yesterday of second-degree murder and two counts of robbery in the death of Jonathan Levin, his teacher and the son of Time Warner Chairman Gerald Levin.

Arthur was acquitted of first-degree murder, which would have gotten him life in prison without the possibility of parole. He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years to life at his sentencing Dec. 10.

"I'm not happy about this. Jon would not have been happy with this verdict," said Levin's mother, Carol Needleman.

Arthur and Montoun Hart were charged with the May 30, 1997, murder and robbery of Levin, 31, a popular teacher at Taft High School in New York City's Bronx borough. Hart, 26, will be tried in January.

Prosecutors said the two bound and gagged Levin with duct tape, slashed and stabbed him to make him divulge his automated-teller-machine number, and then shot him in the head with a .22-caliber pistol that was never found.

They allegedly used Levin's bank card to withdraw $800 from his account.

Levin's body was found June 3 after colleagues, worried when he missed a faculty meeting and a social gathering, went to his apartment and called police.

Assistant District Attorney Eugene Hurley called the killing "an execution," saying Arthur made Levin lie on the floor and shot him at close range so blood wouldn't splatter on his clothes.

Defense lawyers admitted Arthur was in Levin's apartment when he was killed, but said he tried to protect the teacher.