N. Phila. man, 18, charged in killing of 17-year-old

Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old North Philadelphia man in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old this year.

Jason "Cassius" Broaster, 18, was arrested Wednesday in Atlanta and is expected to be extradited to Philadelphia to face murder charges in the death of Naaire Murray.

Murray was shot once in the chest at his home in the 2400 block of West Huntingdon Street on Sept. 8, and died hours later at Temple University Hospital. Police said the shooting resulted from an argument.

Broaster, of North Philadelphia, is the son of Cassius Broaster, once called one of "the worst people in the city as far as violence is concerned" by former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester M. Johnson.

Cassius Broaster and brother Jerome are awaiting trial on federal charges of running a crack and PCP ring. If convicted, they could be sentenced to life in prison.

For years, authorities have suspected the brothers of being key figures in the city's drug trade. They were charged in connection with a triple murder in 2002, but were acquitted.

Johnson accused the men of intimidating witnesses to beat charges in other crimes.

Jason Broaster was arrested in June on a firearms charge. His extradition hearing in Georgia had not yet been scheduled.

Police said an "intense" investigation identified Broaster as the suspect. They did not specify how he ended up in Georgia, or what he was doing there before his arrest.