2 get prison for revenge killing over dice-game robbery
Kenneth Wiggins, 19, was fatally shot on Germantown sidewalk in April 2008.
BACK IN April 2008, Kenneth Wiggins, 19, stole more than $1,000 from Qentin Salmond during a dice game in Germantown.
Three days later, Salmond, his brother Bernard and their friend Jamil Baynes got revenge on Wiggins in broad daylight.
Just before 1 p.m., as Wiggins left Skyline Restaurant on Chew Avenue near Chelten, Qentin Salmond, disguised in a Muslim woman's outfit, and Baynes, wielding a handgun, approached from behind and shoved him to the ground.
Baynes then opened fire, fatally shooting Wiggins in the chest. The two killers then got into a waiting car that Bernard Salmond drove from the crime scene.
It took years for police and prosecutors to solve the killing, and yesterday the case was formally closed.
Baynes, 30, who was arrested using the last name Banks, was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in state prison for third-degree murder, conspiracy and related gun charges.
Qentin Salmond, 28, got 25 to 50 years for third-degree murder and conspiracy.
Both defendants were sentenced by Common Pleas Judge Barbara McDermott, who had presided at the March jury trial at which they were convicted of Wiggins' murder.
Bernard Salmond, 29, was tried separately in March and was sentenced last month by Common Pleas Judge Glenn Bronson to 18 to 36 years for the slaying.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Lim said Baynes was recruited to be the gunman because Wiggins did not know him.
Baynes' criminal record includes 10 arrests and seven convictions, Lim said.