Defense Attorneys Rest Case in Piazza Murder Trial

More closings set in 2009 Philly double slaying

The trial of three men charged in a double slaying inside a trendy Philadelphia apartment building is wrapping up.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports defense attorneys called no witnesses before resting their cases Monday in the 2009 killings inside the Piazza at Schmidts.

Three men are charged with killing 34-year-old Rian Thal and 40-year-old Timothy Gilmore outside Thal's apartment. Authorities say the men planned to steal money and drugs from the victims.

Investigators later found cocaine and more than $100,000 in Thal's apartment.

In closing arguments Monday, the Inquirer reports one defense attorney claimed his client was pressured into a confession while another attorney said his client hadn't been linked to the alleged mastermind.

Four others charged in the case have pleaded guilty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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