Witness: My crime cohort killed Crescentville grocer
A man who went to rob Lu Grocery in Crescentville two years ago testified against his alleged co-conspirator yesterday, saying it was James Canady who shot the store owner to death.
A man who went to rob Lu Grocery in Crescentville two years ago testified against his alleged co-conspirator yesterday, saying it was James Canady who shot the store owner to death.
Darrin White, 20, told a Common Pleas jury that as he was leaving the store, "I heard two gunshots," and that Canady "was the only person" who was then standing in front of the door.
White testified that he did not have a gun on him that day, and that Canady had earlier shown him a gun tucked in his waistband.
Canady, 17, is on trial on charges of first-degree murder, robbery, conspiracy and related offenses in the Aug. 9, 2007, shooting death of Jiaxing Lu, 47, a Chinese immigrant who owned the store on Colgate Street near Cheltenham Avenue.
White pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree murder and conspiracy, and agreed to testify against Canady if prosecutors dropped first- and second-degree murder charges. He also asked for a negotiated sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison.
White, of North Philadelphia, said yesterday that he knew Canady, who lived on Carver Street near Colgate, about two blocks from Lu Grocery, because they were dating sisters, who also lived near the store.
He said that on Aug. 9, he was in front of his girlfriend's house on Anchor Street when Canady came by. The two discussed how they needed money, and Canady came up with the idea to rob the grocery, White testified under questioning by Assistant District Attorney Michael Barry.
White said Canady then pulled out two masks and pulled up his shirt, revealing a gun.
In the store, White said he told Lu "to give me the money," but Lu, standing behind a protective-glass counter, closed the window.
White said he then jumped over the glass and began hitting Lu, who fought back.
Lu's daughter, LiXia Lu, testified Thursday that she and her mother were upstairs in their second-floor apartment when she heard her father moaning. She rushed downstairs to the store. She said Canady pointed a gun at her, and she then started throwing soda bottles and canned goods at him.
She also ripped off his mark, and said she then recognized him from the many times he came to the store and from an alleged robbery attempt in 2006. She and her mother pushed Canady out the door.
White said yesterday that he did not see Canady fighting with the mother and daughter. When he next saw Canady, it was after he heard the two shots and ran out of the store.
The trial continues Monday. *