Thugs' driver in fatal beating urged to come forward

POLICE COMMISSIONER Charles Ramsey yesterday urged a driver to come forward after three passengers in his car fatally assaulted a man Saturday in the city's historic district, suggesting that he might be able to wrangle a better deal for himself.

"Right now he [the driver] is part of the murder case," Ramsey told the Daily News. "But if he comes forward, there is a possibility that the district attorney might work with his attorney."

That doesn't mean the driver would get off scot-free, Ramsey said, but he could be "given consideration" by prosecutors if he offers information.

The victim, Kevin Kless, 23, a 2010 Temple grad who recently had moved back to Philly for a job, died 17 hours after the attack.

About 2:25 a.m. Saturday, Kless was walking with his girlfriend and another woman on Chestnut Street between 4th and 5th, trying to hail a cab after leaving Lucy's Hat Shop, an Old City bar.

As Kless yelled at a cabbie who had his roof light on despite carrying passengers, a car with four men inside stopped behind the cab. Apparently thinking Kless was yelling at them, the three passengers in that car rushed out and beat Kless in front of the historic Second Bank of the United States, police said.

Ramsey said video footage shows an older-model red or maroon Mazda but does not show the attack. He said cops aren't sure if that was the car from which the attackers emerged.

The top cop cautioned against fixating on one description, recalling that when he was police chief in Washington during the 2002 sniper shootings, people were looking for a white van when the shooters had been in a blue Chevy.

"These things happen real quick," Ramsey said, noting that it may be hard for witnesses to have a clear description.

A police source said the two women with Kless had not gotten a clear description of the car because they were in shock.

Investigators have described the attackers as having "olive-toned" skin and being in their 20s.

Police hope to interview the taxi driver, who they said sped off before the attack.

Tipsters should call the Philly Police Homicide Unit at 215-686- 3334.