The defendant accused of murdering Kim Jones, a North Philadelphia lesbian who was shot in the head while waiting for a bus to work, was in court Wednesday.
Randolph Sanders chose to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. Sanders’ attorney, Michael Coard, said he would not dispute the commonwealth’s first-degree murder charges against his client, sending his case to trial.
“We waived today’s preliminary hearing because today was about allegations, not evidence,” said Coard. “And we concede, based on the allegations, not the evidence, that the commonwealth has enough.”
Thus, no evidence was presented by the assistant district attorney, Mark Levenberg.
The defense will not have a chance to dispute any of the evidence until the formal arraignment, when the prosecution’s discovery package is revealed.
Outside the courtroom, Coard would not comment about if Sanders would plead guilty or not. He also declined to comment on what is presumed to be the primary motivation for the crime — that there was tension in Sanders’ and Jones’ work relationship because of Sanders’ alleged theft of funds from the children and family-advocacy organization they both worked for, Turning Points for Children.
Levenberg also would not comment on the alleged motive but said, “It’s pretty clear that he planned it and prepared for it, and perpetrated a horrible killing. I think his waiver demonstrates the defense agrees there is evidence to go to trial.”
Levenberg also said he didn’t think that Jones’ sexual orientation or her marrying a woman a couple months before her death had anything to do with the crime.
Jones, 56, was shot in the back of the head Jan. 13 at the corner of 12th and Jefferson streets near Temple University.
Jones was listening to gospel music through headphones while waiting for a SEPTA bus when police say Sanders, 36, approached from behind and shot her. Surveillance video captured a man alleged to be Sanders fleeing the scene into the subway.
The next hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 11 at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St.
