THE CRIME:
On Father’s Day, June 17th, 1979, a shooting was reported about 9:55 pm, at South 60th street, between Chester and Springfield Avenue in the Southwest section of Philadelphia. The evidence revealed individual(s) armed with a .22 caliber rifle climbed an eleven foot wall onto a roof. From there, the individual(s) climbed another six foot wall topped with a four foot chain link fence tipped with three strands of barbed wired onto a box factory rooftop. There, the individual(s) shot and killed Rodney Chambers and wounded two other youths across the street. Exhibit C
After a reward for information was advertised, George Lawrence contacted police, claiming to have information. Interviewed on June 20th, 1979, by homicide detective Leon Lubiejewski and policeman John McGinley Lawrence, after repeatedly asking about the reward money, stated that he witnessed an altercation around eight in the evening on June, 17th, 1979. According to Lawrence, a group of white men jumped out of their car and ran after a group of black men down the block. After a few minutes, the white men got back in their car and left the area. He went on to state he saw figures on the rooftop shortly thereafter. He was asked if he could identify any of the individuals involved and was shown photos of local troublemakers. He identified my brother Bernard after being shown several arrays all containing his photo. After being shown key evidence, Lawrence signed the statement, identifying himself as “Richard Morris”. He gave two other statements on July 5th and 11th that tailored his original statement to fit the authorities suspect.
THE ARREST:
On June 25th, 1979, Robert Forbes was arrested on a stale warrant and questioned concerning this crime. The police reported that Forbes gave a twelve page statement denying involvement. After several hours, Forbes gave another statement admitting the crime and allegedly implicating myself as a participant. Based on the statement, an arrest warrant was issued. I was arrested and criminally charged with murder and related offenses on June 26th, 1979. on June 27th, 1979, the Philadelphia Daily News, Jack McKinney reported a story stating “Quiet one held as 2nd sniper suspect”. In the article it stated: “When Forbes was arrested at his parents home in Sharon Hill, Delaware County, he was reported to have told his mother that “I did it” and “I am the only one””.
PRELIMINARY HEARING:
On July 24th 1979, George Lawrence testified to the events of June 17th, 1979. he swore under oath that his name was “Richard Lawrence”, not George Lawrence or “Richard Morris” as identified in his statements. The detective and district attorney were well aware of this but failed to correct this false testimony. Exhibit H