Cops don't expect much help from murder suspect

By DAVID GAMBACORTA & KITTY CAPARELLA, gambacd@phillynews.com 215-854-5994
Posted: July 16, 2009

Murder charges were filed yesterday morning against convicted drug dealer Will "Pooh" Hook, the alleged mastermind behind the June 27 slayings at the Piazza at Schmidts.

Police officials said they don't expect Hook to be of any help to investigators still hunting for several other men believed to have been involved in the failed drug robbery that led to the shooting deaths of Rian Thal, 32, and Timothy Gilmore, 40.

Authorities believe Hook, 40, orchestrated a plot to rob Thal, who had four kilos of cocaine and $100,000 inside her 7th floor Northern Liberties apartment. The robbery plan went awry, ending in Thal and Gilmore being shot to death.

According to his attorney, Christopher Warren, Hook, who surrendered Monday night on a burglary warrant, said he had been "sucker-punched" by an officer while in police custody. Hook, of Strawberry Mansion, also said that a police lieutenant "grabbed his Bible and threw it across the room," Warren said.

Detectives yesterday continued to search for others involved in the double slaying, including alleged gunman Donnell Murchison, 32, of West Oak Lane.

Although U.S. marshals have offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Murchison's capture, the hunt is "moving a little slow," said Homicide Capt. James Clark.

"We're still asking for the public's help. We have no reason to believe that he's left the area," Clark said.

Murder charges also have been filed against Katoya Jones, 25, a Piazza resident and associate of Hook's who police say was shown on surveillance footage letting one of the killers into the building shortly before Thal and Gilmore were gunned down.

Police also arrested Robert Keith, 27, who allegedly visited the apartment building with Hook on June 27. Keith was charged with burglary. *

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