Trial set in murder at the Bleu Martini

The ingredients were all there: crowded, popular Old City night spot; men with short tempers; ill-chosen words; and a gun.

The volatile mixture Feb. 20 at the Bleu Martini ended with Jermaine Potter in a wheelchair, his brother Scoey dead, and, as of Tuesday, James Thompson headed for trial.

Thompson, 27, of South Philadelphia, was held on charges of murder, assault, and gun violations after a preliminary hearing before Municipal Court Judge Kenneth J. Powell Jr.

Potter and another brother, Brian, testified about the altercation, which took place about 12:30 a.m. at the night spot at Second and Market Streets.

"It was all over space," Jermaine Potter testified. "It was crowded. It was all over space."

Scoey Potter, 33, of Edgewater Park, died Feb. 28 of complications from wounds to the neck and side. Jermaine Potter, 29, of Burlington County, was hospitalized for a month from his wounds.

Questioned by Assistant District Attorney Chesley Lightsey, Jermaine and Brian Potter testified that they, Scoey, and a friend decided to meet that night for drinks at the Bleu Martini.

The get-together never got far. Shortly after they arrived, Brian Potter testified, Thompson complained that he was blocking a passage from the restrooms to the bar.

He said he pointed out to Thompson that other people were getting by. Thompson became angry and threatening, saying, "I have something for you outside. . . . I'm going to pop you."

Brian Potter said he held his hands up and retreated, but Thompson followed, threatening to "put him in a coffin."

The situation came to a head at the front door, when Brian Potter decked Thompson with a punch to the face and then did the same to an unnamed friend of Thompson's who tried to intervene.

At a bouncer's urging, Potter said, he went outside and began walking away.

"I was speed-walking when I heard shots and thought they were shooting at me," Potter testified.

Jermaine Potter testified that after his brother left, the fisticuffs continued outside, with Scoey Potter knocking down Thompson's friend.

"I turned and saw [Thompson] draw a gun and shoot," Potter said.

In questioning the brothers, defense attorney A. Charles Peruto Jr. focused on the fact that Brian Potter first used physical force.

Both Potters maintained that they were unarmed and thought Thompson intended to kill them.

"The situation could have been squashed," Jermaine Potter added. "I tried to, but [Thompson] wasn't going to hear it."