Yo, Philly in the News

• The murder trial of Hakeem Bey goes to a Common Pleas Court jury today. Ten minutes into the prosecutor's closing argument yesterday, juror number nine signaled for a break; some heard her say, "I'm scared. I don't think I can do this." She was excused and replaced. The case has been fraught with witness intimidation.
• Meleanie Hain of Lebanon used to take her holstered Glock 26 handgun everywhere for personal security, but her concealed-weapons permit was revoked after other parents complained about seeing her carrying the loaded gun at her 5-year-old daughter's soccer game. She's fighting the revocation.
• T. Milton Street Sr. (whom the Inquirer hilariously describes as "a former state senator and hot-dog vendor") is scheduled to be sentenced today in U.S. District Court for failing to file federal tax returns for three years.
• At the preliminary hearing for Randall R. Harner, 49, who is accused of strangling Deborah French, 52, of Devon, while she was house-sitting at a Chester Springs residence, a West Vincent Township Police Officer testified that spotting a beat-up Dodge that looked out of place in an affluent Chester County neighborhood helped lead him to the murder scene.
• Some Philadelphia police officers say judges are going too easy on suspects in police-assault cases, and a recent incident particularly rankled cops.
• At a news conference yesterday announcing recent achievements of the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force, District Attorney Lynne Abraham stressed her belief that the more illegally obtained guns are taken off the streets, the more crime will be reduced.
• As we mentioned yesterday, Sarah Palin will attend a private, ticketed, pre-debate party at the Irish Pub at 20th and Walnut tonight.
• The Please Touch Museum announced yesterday the largest individual gift in the museum's three-decade history—$5 million from philanthropist Dorrance H. Hamilton.
• The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld a state law that has long protected news reporters from being forced to disclose confidential sources.
• "Gov. Rendell yesterday said he had ordered a review of the circumstances leading to the parole of Daniel Giddings, the convicted violent criminal who gunned down Officer Patrick McDonald only weeks after being released from prison."
• City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr. lectured the media yesterday for focusing on the work habits of one of his employees instead of his legislative agenda. Afterward, as he walked from Council's chambers to his office, he was escorted by a man (identified by sources as Goode's cousin) who blocked and bumped Fox 29 News reporter Claudia Gomez.

Image Credit: Flickr user Mypoorbrain