Bodega gunman gets 25 to 60 years for killing Good Samaritan

The gunman accused of fatally shooting a Good Samaritan who pinned down his partner after a botched 2012 robbery of a North Philadelphia grocery pleaded guilty Tuesday and was immediately sentenced to 25 to 60 years in prison.

Angel Nieves, 22, pleaded guilty before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Glenn B. Bronson to third-degree murder on what was to have been the start of jury selection in his trial and that of Edward Friedland for the 2012 robbery at La Familia Latina Mini Market, Fifth Street and Glenwood Avenue.

Nieves had been charged with first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. The guilty plea to the lesser charge was negotiated by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lipscomb and defense lawyer Jack McMahon.

Friedland, 29, rejected a plea deal but agreed to a nonjury trial before Bronson on felony murder, attempted murder, robbery, and related counts, according to defense attorney David S. Rudenstein. Friedland's trial resumes Wednesday after a single witness testified Tuesday.

At Friedland's preliminary hearing, Rudenstein conceded that his client gave a statement to detectives admitting he was the masked gunman seen on a security video walking into the crowded bodega shortly after 8:30 p.m. on March 18, 2012.

The video shows the gunman brandish a silver handgun and confront owner Antonio Monegro.

Monegro, 40, pulls his own gun from his waistband and the video shows the two rolling on the floor before a gun goes off, wounding the shopkeeper in the abdomen.

The robber pushes Monegro off and runs out the door without getting any money. The video shows Rafael Del Valle, 26, a store employee, get Monegro's gun from a fellow worker and run outside after the robber.

Nieves admitted to walking up behind Del Valle, who had chased Friedland for two blocks before pinning him to the street, and shooting him at point-blank range.