Piazza victim orchestrated drug robbery, suspect says

The suspect who police maintain was the main gunman in the fatal shooting in June at the Piazza in Northern Liberties has told authorities that one of the two victims - well-known party planner Rian Thal - helped orchestrate the robbery that led to her death, according to several law enforcement sources.

Donnell Murchison, the alleged gunman, claims Thal and another convicted drug dealer arranged for him and other armed men to "rob" Thal on June 27, the day her suppliers dropped off a shipment of drugs, the sources said. By setting up a robbery with an acquaintance, presumably Thal could have profited by getting a kickback either in cash or in some of the stolen drugs.

Instead, Thal, 34, and Timothy Gilmore, 40, a former Detroit firefighter who police say was her drug associate, were gunned down outside her posh apartment on the top floor of the Piazza's Navona building. Video surveillance captured three men staking out her floor and methodically cornering her and Gilmore as they approached her door.

Authorities have not commented publicly on whether they believe Murchison's claims to be valid. But his side of the story might be raised by attorneys this morning at a hearing that will place him side by side with the six others charged in the dual killings.

Meanwhile, authorities revealed that a man who was inside Thal's apartment during the attacks has been taken into custody in Texas.

It was not clear yesterday whether the man was being held by federal, state, or local agents, but Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Selber said she believed he was being held on drug-related charges.

The man, who has never been identified by police but has been described as "the big guy," is reportedly a drug associate of Gilmore's and was not involved with the killings.

He was waiting for Thal and Gilmore to return when the gunfire erupted, then was filmed by cameras as he exited the apartment and stepped over the bodies, carrying a large duffel bag that police say they assume contained drugs. He has not yet been interviewed by local authorities.

Police have described the slayings as a robbery gone bad and have said Thal's involvement with drugs made her a target. Four kilograms of cocaine and more than $100,000 were found in her apartment.

Thal, a fixture of the city's nightclub scene, threw parties at local venues that often drew celebrities and famous athletes. After her death, many acquaintances said they were shocked to learn police considered her a drug dealer, despite the fact that she was twice convicted for it.

In the months following the slayings, detectives arrested seven people who they said were the main players. Capt. James Clark, of the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit, said yesterday there could still be a few more arrests in the case.

In recent months, rumors have swirled that Murchison, 33, is cooperating with authorities. He is being held at the city's federal detention center, according to records, after being moved out of a city jail.

Christopher Warren, the lawyer for the man who Murchison said orchestrated the setup with Thal, said his client, Will Hook, 40, adamantly denied any involvement in the shootings or in recent drug dealing. He said Hook has maintained that he did not even know Murchison or the others charged in the crime.

"We're extremely anxious to see what, if any, evidence the commonwealth has to support these charges," Warren said.

Getting all the defendants into the courtroom is likely to present an enormous logistical challenge. They are all in custody and must be transported, and extra security precautions will have to be taken.

In addition to Murchison and Hook, those scheduled to appear in court today include:

Edward Daniels, 42, and Antonio Wright, 28, who with Murchison are accused of shooting Thal and Gilmore.

Langdon Scott, 26, who police said acted as a lookout, watching from inside the building for Thal and Gilmore to return and then alerting the gunmen.

Katoya Jones, 25, a friend of Hook's who lived in Thal's building and is seen on surveillance video letting the gunmen into the lobby less than an hour before the killings.

Robert Keith, 27, who police said went to Thal's building with Hook on the night before her killing and tried to break into an apartment they believed to be Thal's. The apartment turned out to be empty.

Tamir Jones, 33, arrested over the summer on obstruction-of-justice charges for allegedly hiding Murchison from authorities to help him evade arrest.

Today's hearing could include viewings of video surveillance footage as well as phone records documenting numerous calls involving Hook, Jones, and other players.