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Hearing postponed in case of Detroit gas station clerk accused of shooting customer over price of condoms

The BP Station on Fenkell in Detroit where a customer was shot, reportedly over the price of a box of condoms. (CBS Detroit/Beth Fisher)

(CBS/AP) DETROIT - A hearing has been postponed in the case of a Detroit gas station clerk who police say fatally shot a 24-year-old customer in the back during a dispute over the price of condoms.

Ibrahim Saleh, 23, was scheduled to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing on a first-degree murder charge in the March 10 killing of 24-year-old Michael Haynes. However, the hearing was adjourned because a new attorney was recently retained to represent Saleh.

CBS Detroit reports a plea of not guilty was entered for Saleh in March. He appeared via video monitor at his arraignment, while his attorney, Todd Flood, argued that it should not be a first degree murder case.

Flood said he had gone over the video from the BP gas station where Michael Haynes was shot - video he says shows Haynes vandalizing the store after he and Saleh argued.

His client, he said, is distraught.

"He's very sad. This is tragic all the way around. He doesn't want this. This is something he never intended and his heart goes out to the family," said Flood. "This is a very sad situation. There's no winners here."

The Wayne County prosecutor's office said Haynes knocked over several shelves of merchandise in the gas station, following an argument over the price of condoms. Authorities said Saleh entered the merchandise area and shot Haynes as he was leaving the business.

Saleh faces life without parole if convicted on the first degree murder charge. He is also charged with a gun crime.

The hearing now will be held on April 27.

More on Crimesider

March 12, 2012 - Deadly shooting allegedly over price of condoms at Detroit gas station

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