Couple guilty in jewel heist, child-endangerment trial

A Philadelphia jury this afternoon found a couple guilty on all charges for taking more than $70,000 in rings from a South Street jewelry store - and leaving behind their 4-year-old son.

The Common Pleas Court jury deliberated about five hours since Monday before returning the guilty verdicts against John Benson, 48, and Sheakia Stubbs, 32, in the Feb. 27, 2010 theft at Platinum & Ice, 621 South St.

Benson was found guilty of the more serious charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault for slashing the throat of jeweler Yaniv Cohen after Cohen chased and confronted him demanding the return of rings.

Benson was also found guilty of robbery, conspiracy, retail theft and child endangerment.

Stubbs, who was with Benson in the store and is the mother of their 4-year-old son, Simir, was found guilty of conspiracy, retail theft and child endangerment.

Judge Charles J. Cunningham III set sentencing for both on Sept. 21.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lipscomb said Benson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison but said he would seek a far longer term.

For Stubbs, however, the conviction was almost academic: she has already served 17 months in prison since arrest - three months longer than the outside of the sentencing guideline range.

Cunningham allowed her to be released without posting bail but ordered her to return Sept. 21 for sentencing.

Benson, Stubbs and their son entered the jewelry store about 3 p.m. that day and, witnesses testified, began looking at rings.

After distracting a salesman, Benson ran from the store with Simir in tow. Stubbs fled in a separate direction.

After being chased and confronted by Cohen, Benson slashed the jeweler's throat with a razor and ran, leaving his son behind.

Stubbs, was charged because she held ajar the remote-control door so Benson could escape. The store's door had to be buzzed open by the owner for customers to enter or leave.

Cohen was treated and released for the wound, though he still has a five-inch scar. None of the jewelry was ever recovered.

After Benson bolted, Cohen took Simir to the South Street police mini-station. Simir was in foster care for seven months before he was released to Stubbs' brother.