Four-time Loser Gets Life

The convicted West Philadelphia robber struck too many times in his criminal career.

Last week, Vincent Wilkerson, 36, finally struck out.

He hit his fourth conviction for robbery, one more than a state law allows for ``violent'' three-time losers.

Assistant District Attorney Dino Privitera cited the ``three strikes'' offender law to Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley and urged her to throw the book at Wilkerson.

She did. Brinkley chose the harsher of two sentences called for in the law.

Instead of imposing 25 to 50 years in prison, Brinkley sentenced Wilkerson to life imprisonment ``without parole.''

Privitera said Wilkerson just can't stop committing serious crimes.

He said Wilkerson is ``incorrigible,'' and noted that his latest offense involved the robbery and near fatal shooting of Nasir Hill, 24, at 48th and Market streets on Oct. 5, 1997.

Wilkerson, of 45th Street near Market, was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated assault and robbery.

He claimed he was mistakenly identified by two eyewitnesses.

Wilkerson, who has three prior robbery convictions and a long juvenile record, was seen knocking Hill unconscious, then placing his body on the hood of a car and shooting him in the chest at about 2 a.m.

The witnesses said Wilkerson then stole Hill's chain and watch and took cash from his pants pocket.

While Hill was being treated at a hospital, Wilkerson walked in wearing the victim's jewelry. The two witnesses spotted him and he was arrested.

Police believe Wilkerson showed up to see whether he had killed Hill.

The critical Hill identified his jewelry but was in no shape to see the defendant.