Rite Aid Manager Murder Trial Delayed

Three of the four people accused in the murder of a Chester, Pa. drugstore manager were set to go on trial Monday morning but the cases were put on hold shortly before they were set to begin.

It could take months to set new trial dates in the shooting death of 40-year-old Jason McClay inside a Rite Aid store last year.

McClay, who was from Broomall, Pa., was shot in the head on Sept. 19.

David Wiggins, who police say is the man caught on surveillance video the night of the shooting, is charged with first-degree murder. Tariq Mahmud and Christopher Parks face second-degree murder charges. All are from Philadelphia.

The trial for a fourth suspect, Rita Pultro, was set to begin tomorrow but also has been delayed to a future date.

Pultro and Wiggins are accused of entering a Rite Aid in Chester to rob it, then shooting McClay and fleeing the scene. According to investigators the duo asked for McClay to help them in the diaper aisle before announcing a robbery by putting a gun to McClay's head. Wiggins allegedly shot McClay after a struggle ensued, police said.

Authorities said Parks was the getaway driver and Mahmud was a former store security guard who provided inside information about security procedures.

McClay, a Navy veteran, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both Pultro and Wiggins have a history of prior arrests, according to authorities.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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