The preliminary hearing for a Philadelphia man accused of attacking and robbing three individuals, including a transgender woman, has been delayed until October.
Lawyers for Marcus Jones, 22, wanted to waive the preliminary hearing, which would determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial, but they could not reach an agreement with the state. The new preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 2 in Room 906 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St.
Jones, who has also gone by the name Demetrie Farmer, was arrested in connection with an assault that took place around 1 p.m. Aug. 18 in the 900 block of North Watts Street in North Philadelphia. Police found a woman unconscious at the scene.
Video surveillance showed a man matching Jones’ description punching and kicking the woman until she became unconscious. The man in the video repeatedly stomped on the woman’s face before fleeing with her purse.
During the investigation, police found a man who said he was also attacked by someone matching Jones’ description. The man further identified a third victim of the same suspect.
Jones is charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack on the woman, aggravated assault, robbery and related offences. He is being held in Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 bail.