In one case, a man pretended to sell Girl Scout cookies to a woman before, she said, he shoved her, then robbed her and her husband in their Northeast Philly home. In another, a thug pummeled a woman in Germantown before fleeing with her purse, the victim testified.
These women were two of nine who testified at a preliminary hearing yesterday that a man pushed or punched them as they were entering their homes, then grabbed their pocketbooks.
Authorities allege that Christopher Russell, 34, of Wells Street near Frontenac, in Oxford Circle, robbed 14 women, ranging in age from 47 to 90 years; the robberies occurred from September to March.
Municipal Judge David Shuter scheduled another court date for Aug. 26 so five of the women, who weren’t in court, could testify or prepare an affidavit. He did not rule on any of the cases
Six of the nine women who testified yesterday under questioning by prosecutor Caroline Keating identified Russell as the man who robbed them.
Defense attorney Michael J. Diamondstein said afterward that his client “maintains he did not do any of these” robberies.
Jean Kraemer testified that at about 1 p.m. on March 5, she was returning home on Benner Street near Lawndale, in Crescentville, when Russell asked if she wanted to buy Girl Scout cookies.
“He said they were $2 a box,” she said. “That got my attention.”
She agreed to buy some, but when Russell returned to her door with a rumpled bag, he pushed her down, she said, and demanded money from her husband, who was already inside the house. Before he fled, Russell also grabbed her handbag, the woman said.
Susan Demetrovits said that at about 4:45 p.m. on March 6, she had just entered her house on Morris Street near Woodlawn, in Germantown, when Russell pushed her.
“He proceeded to pummel my face” from the top of her head to her jaw, she said. He then grabbed her purse and fled, she said.
Maryanne Nuzzo said that at about 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 25, she was about to enter her home on Johnson Street, in West Mount Airy, when “all of a sudden, I heard a rushing sound” and then saw Russell behind her. He smiled, she said, then banged her head on her walkway. He then stole her purse and fled, she said.
Three women did not identify Russell as their attacker. Emily Campbell said, “Well, the guy who beat me up ain’t here.” Authorities suspect a cell phone left in her house may be linked to Russell.
See what the local and national media are saying about Michael Diamondstein and his cases.
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will be allowed to enter a program to avoid prosecution in an alleged assault of his now-wife. Upon successful completion of the program — which will be a minimum of one year — the third-degree charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury would be dismissed. The arrest would remain on his record, but with no conviction.We were concerned that Mr. Rice would be treated more harshly because of his celebrity status. We are thankful that he was not. We are thankful that he was given the same treatment as anyone else in a similar situation.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
John Gallagher, founder of Gallagher Law in Philadelphia, has been indicted in federal court alongside other executives associated with aerospace startup Theia Group Inc. The indictment alleges involvement in a scheme where Theia falsely claimed plans to launch over 100 satellites for global surveillance, raising more than $250 million through fraudulent means. Gallagher, who served on Theia's board and as an executive vice president, is specifically accused of aiding founder Erlend Olson in financial misconduct and tax evasion activities. Gallagher, who specializes in space and satellite technology law, denies wrongdoing and intends to vigorously defend against these charges.“He [Gallagher] is a patriot, and we intend to vigorously defend his good name.”
- Michael Diamondstein
DT had spent three years in jail and was facing lifetimes more for multiple counts of child rape in Pennsylvania and Maryland. But Michael Diamondstein’s thorough investigation and strategic cross-examination forced prosecutors to withdraw their case mid-jury trial.“Michael Diamondstein is the best lawyer on Earth. He saved my life.”
- DT
Mark Young had been serving a life sentence for what prosecutors say was his role as a coconspirator in a 1974 bar robbery that ended in the shooting death of a patron. The 67-year-old Young, who maintained his innocence for almost 50 years, is now slated to be released from prison after a negotiated guilty plea. The judge vacated Young’s previous conviction and sentence.“The district attorney recognized the inequities in the case and we are thankful for the compassion and justice they decided was appropriate.”
- Michael Diamondstein
Willie Stokes's release comes after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated his murder conviction, concluding that the state violated Stokes's constitutional rights by "withholding" crucial evidence about the false testimony of a key witness in the case, according to court documents.He took his first free breaths this afternoon after almost 40 years, and he is very happy and humbled.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
Despite that fact that multiple videos showed local rap singer, Monte Small Atwell aka Benjy killing the decedent, a Philadelphia jury found Mr. Atwell Not Guilty of Murder. The video clearly showed that the unarmed decedent was chasing Mr. Atwell. Mr. Atwell’s attorney, Michael Diamondstein litigated a very effective self-defense case. After a number of withering cross examinations and a closing wherein Mr. Diamondstein exhorted the jurors that his client “would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6” the jury agreed that Mr. Atwell’s actions were justified.Mr. Diamondstein saved my life. He is the best there is.
- Monte Small Atwell aka Benjy
Six members of an elite Philadelphia narcotics squad were acquitted of federal corruption charges – a verdict the men described as “vindication” after nearly a decade of federal scrutiny surrounding their conduct. A jury of six men and six women took 5 1/2 days to reject prosecutors’ arguments that former Officers Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman, and John Speiser routinely beat and robbed drug suspects during their time as members of the Narcotics Field Unit.The things that were said about these honorable men and police officers over the last eight to 10 months were ridiculous. A lot of people in this city owe these heroes an apology.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of fraud, extortion, and bribery-related charges. But the problems of the city’s cash-strapped top prosecutor continued to mount outside the courtroom, a day after federal authorities accused him of repeatedly selling his influence to wealthy benefactors willing to bankroll his luxury tastes.This indictment is 24 hours old and yet too many politicians and commentators have already tried and convicted Seth Williams in the media. Simply because the government makes explosive allegations in a complaint doesn’t mean they’re going to prove it in a court of law.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
It's 8:00 on a September morning but Michael Diamonstein has already been in his office for hours. A criminal defense lawyer, Diamondstein likes to be prepared before he goes to court. That preparation paid off to get an innocent man cleared of all charges.The man gave me my life back.
- Yusef Bey
With evidence missing and the investigation tainted by the involvement of a detective who pleaded guilty to impeding justice, the District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn murder charges against a 28-year-old man, Dante Hill, in a 2011 shooting outside a North Philadelphia sports bar.Tremendous day, not only for Mr. Hill but for the entire Philadelphia justice system.
- Michael J. Diamondstein
Michael Diamondstein argued the original jail sentence is illegal because the previous judge assigned the case failed to address if Risoldi was eligible for re-entry, which would allow her to be released from jail early.Diamondstein added that Berks County Senior Judge Stephen Lieberman, who is now overseeing the case, has authority to reconsider the sentence made by the previous judge, who retired last year.
