Trial Set for Piazza at Schimdts Murders

Jury selection begins Monday for the six people on trial for the murders of Rian Thal and Timothy Gilmore

Six defendants are scheduled to go on trial in what police say was a drug-related double slaying inside a trendy Philadelphia apartment building.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports at least one motion will need to be dealt with Monday before jury selection can begin for six men charged in the June 2009 killing inside what was then a newly opened apartment complex in the Northern Liberties neighborhood.

Authorities say 34-year-old Rian Thal and 40-year-old Timothy Gilmore were gunned down in the Piazza at Schmidts in a botched drug-related robbery. Investigators seized four kilograms of cocaine and more than $100,000 from Thal's apartment following the shooting.

Police say the alleged mastermind orchestrated the robbery by cell phone nearby. The Inquirer report says two other suspects are charged with first-degree murder.
      
 

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