Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares Wednesday announced that 21-year-old Hasim Burnell of Latham has been convicted of murder in the first degree and three counts of robbery in the first degree.

On May 5, 2005, Burnell entered apartment 303 of 1702 Western Avenue in the Town of Guilderland with plans to burglarize it and shot and killed Todd Pianowski with a handgun.

This was a retrial, after new technology of fingerprint analysis was revealed by the New York State Police during trial in April 2006.  Judge Herrick dismissed the first jury that was originally being presented by Chief Assistant District Attorney, Michael McDermott.  The two-week retrial was handled and prosecuted by Bruce Lennard, Assistant District Attorney in the Major Crimes Unit.

  When sentenced next month, Burnell faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.