All three suspects in the October 31 murder could face execution, which Pennyslvania allows in certain cases. The District Attorney's office will probably seek the death penalty for all three suspects charged with the murder of Medical Center research associate Vladimir Sled, Assistant D.A. Dick Carroll said. Sled was fatally stabbed when he tried to prevent Philadelphia resident Eugene Harrison from robbing Cecelia Hagerhall on the 4300 block of Larchwood Avenue at 11:15 p.m. October 31, police said. Hagerhall, also a Medical School researcher, was Sled's fiancee. Harrison and Philadelphia residents Bridget Black and Yvette Stewart were arrested and charged with murder, assault and robbery in connection with Sled's homicide. Pennsylvania law allows prosecutors to ask for the death penalty in murder cases that include any of 17 aggravating circumstances. Carroll said the robbery is considered one aggravating circumstance in this case. "We do have grounds to seek a death penalty and probably will," he said. "What generally happens [in death penalty cases] is that although we reach for the stars, we reach the treetops." In murder cases with multiple defendants, prosecutors usually ask for the death penalty only for the suspect or suspects who committed the murder, Carroll said. He explained that anyone who participates in a felony resulting in a murder can be convicted of murder -- whether they participated in the actual murder or not. In order to seek the death penalty for co-defendants charged with murder, the state has to show the suspects intended to commit murder at the time of the killing. "The actual slayer is in the most danger [of conviction]," Carroll said. Police believe Black inflicted the knife wounds that killed Sled. A judge will meet with prosecution and defense attorneys tomorrow to schedule the case's first preliminary hearing, Carroll said. The meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 9 a.m. in room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center at 13th and Filbert streets. The judge will also inquire about any potential conflicts of interest the lawyers may have -- such as previously representing any of the other suspects or witnesses in the case. A public defender will represent one of the female suspects and court-appointed private attorneys will defend the others, Carroll said. Testimony at a preliminary hearing will establish if the case includes other aggravating circumstances, he added. Those circumstances could include past histories of using or threatening violence, or a ruling that the murderer's actions while stabbing Sled could have injured or killed Hagerhall. In other news pertaining to crimes near campus, a preliminary hearing January 8 will investigate charges that Christopher Crawford and Albert Bandy robbed a Veterinary student at gunpoint September 25. Crawford, Bandy and Christopher Jones are also charged with shooting College senior Patrick Leroy in a robbery attempt the same night. A trial date for the case will be assigned six to eight weeks after the preliminary hearing, Assistant D.A. Jodi Lobel said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
