Author Archives: Steve Bohnel

Police arrest three in connection with armed robbery

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Police have arrested two men in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on Norris Street near 17th early Monday morning—one of whom fired at officers before being apprehended.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said 22nd District officers arrested one of the suspects after he came out of his house on Lehigh Avenue near 15th Street. The second suspect was arrested after he fired shots at officers while they were identifying the first male, he added.

A third man was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Sunday because he might be associated with the pair of suspects arrested Monday, Leone said. He and one of the men arrested Monday are juveniles, so their names and information will not be released, he added.

Leone said the second man arrested Monday might have been an adult, and is looking into information on that suspect.

A TU Alert was sent out about Monday’s robbery at around 2:15 a.m. Leone said that around 2 a.m., a student and non-student were walking on Norris Street when two men approached them. One of the men showed a black handgun and told the two to “give me everything,” Leone said. He added that after they gave the suspects their cell phones, the robbers fled west on Norris Street, and then north on 17th Street.

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steve.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.

 

News in brief: 9.8 Issue

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PROFESSORS AGAINST BOARD’S INVOLVEMENT WITH COSBY

University officials have criticized the Board of Trustees’ handling of the negative Bill Cosby news and Chairman Patrick O’Connor’s participation in a lawsuit involving the former student.

The Inquirer reported that when it asked Temple about Cosby’s lawsuit involving former university employee Andrea Constand in 2005, the university issued a statement that said once the lawsuit was settled, it deemed the issue was resolved for the time being.

When the Inquirer asked if the university had a “formal process for evaluating misconduct complaints against trustees or senior administrators in 2005,” the university answered through a statement that it has one “comprehensive policy for the handling of such matters when they arise in the university community.”

David Adamany, former president of the university and current law professor, told the Inquirer that the Board should have never dealt with the issue, and no one on campus has been talking about the case.

“I have not heard among my colleagues on the faculty one word mentioned about it in a department meeting or in a casual conversation,” Adamany said. “I teach graduate and undergraduate courses, and if it were on people’s minds, some student would have mentioned it to me. I have not heard a peep.”

Fellow Temple law school professor Marina Angel told the Inquirer she knew Constand and thought she was credible. She also wrote the university’s sexual harassment policy in the early 1990s.

“They did what they always do; they ignored it and blamed Andrea,” Angel said of the board’s actions.

-Steve Bohnel

   

STUDENTS REMINDED ABOUT UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Stephanie Ives issued an email memo to students advising them about the Good Neighbor Initiative and ways to prevent sexual violence, along with drug and alcohol abuse.

Ives said community members and neighbors of students “are being impacted by late-night parties, alcohol, loud music, trash and disorderly conduct by Temple students and their guests.” She added these actions might violate the university’s Student Conduct Code, and asked students to review the Good Neighbor Initiative.

She also said students should review Temple’s two policies concerning alcohol abuse and sexual violence: “Preventing and Addressing Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking” and the “Student Drug and Alcohol Policy.”

Ives said students should contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234 if they feel someone “dangerously under the influence of drugs or alcohol” so they can receive medical assistance. He added students should review the Student Conduct Code to see what instances fall under the medical amnesty policy.

The Wellness Resource Center and Tuttleman Counseling Services can also provide information and support to students who need it, Ives said.

    -Steve Bohnel

ADMINISTRATION URGES FANS TO USE ‘SOUND JUDGEMENT’

Athletic Director Pat Kraft, Student Body President Ryan Rinaldi and Cherry Crusade President Samuel Forman advised the Temple University Community to make “sound judgements in all actions, including messages on clothing and behavior at the stadium and on campus.”

Last week, several students wore “F–k Penn State” shirts in preparation for Temple’s season opener against the Nittany Lions, which the Owls won 27-10. “F–k Penn State” banners were also hanging on the outside of several students’ apartments near Main Campus.

“Our actions speak volumes,” the email read. “As fans, we need to be respectful as we allow our football team to show the tenacity and grit on the field that, as Temple Owls, we take pride in every day.”

The message also asked students for feedback about how Temple’s gameday experience can be improved upon.

“Take mental notes about what you see being done well, and where we can improve, so we can make any needed adjustments,” the email read. “We want to carry this excitement throughout the season and your feedback will be crucial to that effort.”

-Steve Bohnel

STUDENTS, FACULTY SUPPORT BERNIE SANDERS FOR 2016

Supporters of 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders met near the Bell Tower to rally and decorate Temple’s sidewalks and campus with chalk.

The event, titled “Chalk the Campus!” was led by Temple University for Bernie Sanders, a Facebook group dedicated to the Democrat’s run for president next year. Students, faculty and community members signed the sidewalks around campus with #FeeltheBern and “Bernie 2016.” Afterward, the group discussed future events concerning the organization.

-Steve Bohnel

News in brief: 9.1 Issue

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NON-TEMPLE SHOOTING REPORTED

A 42-year-old man with no connection to Temple was shot early Sunday morning on Chadwick Street near Susquehanna, police said.

The man flagged down a Temple Police officer around 2 a.m. Monday, saying he had been shot in the rear thigh, Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said. He was transported to Temple University Hospital.

Leone said police are searching for a suspect described as a man last seen wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans.

-Jack Tomzcuk

POLICE INVESTIGATING TWO SEXUAL ASSAULTS

Two sexual assaults involving Temple students were reported on Main Campus in the last three weeks.

A female student reported an incident Aug. 21 that occurred in May 2013 involving her partner in Elmira Jeffries, an apartment complex on 15th Street near Jefferson. The male suspect was implicated in January for an incident involving an “abusive relationship,” Capt. Edward Woltemate of the Investigations Unit said.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said the second incident, which occurred Aug. 23, involved a reported sexual assault of a female student by a male student.

The man called police while having intercourse with the woman because she was feeling ill from intoxication, Leone said. After recovering, she reported the sexual assault. Leone said no charges have been filed, and the investigation is still ongoing.

-Jack Tomczuk

SIX TEMPLE COPS GRADUATE

Six Temple Police officers graduated from the police academy in a ceremony Friday at the Temple Performing Arts Center.

Karen Brinkley, Omair Chughtai, Patrick Davis, Jamal McClean, Kevin Myslinski and Darnell Ross became part of the Philadelphia Police Academy’s 372nd class.  In addition to the six Temple Police graduates, 67 members of the Philadelphia Police Department graduated, as well as two Philadelphia Housing Authority Recruits.

-Jack Tomczuk

Recent law grad discovered dead in Delaware

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New Castle County police are still investigating the death of Shazim Uppal, a 27-year-old Temple School of Law graduate who earned his degree in July.

Officers found Uppal in a parked sedan on the 100 block of Saint Claire Drive in Hockessin, Delaware. He had sustained gunshot wounds to the upper torso, and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Uppal was last seen driving a 2007 black Audi A8 Sunday between 10 and 11 p.m., investigators said. As of Wednesday afternoon, no new information about the investigation was available.

Craig Green, who taught Uppal in two law classes during his time at Temple, said he was saddened by the news.

“I had been meeting with him in the summer,” Green said. “He was preparing very hard for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania law board exams … it was a very tragic thing to hear about.”

He added that he last worked with Uppal in a guided research class during the summer, and last saw him after the Ramadan holiday.

“He was hard-working,” Green said. “He was a really kind person, had a gentle demeanor, and was very excited about finishing law school. He had a very bright future ahead of him, and we won’t see that come to fruition.”

“I was excited about seeing him in October after he passed the bar, which would’ve been the next time I would have seen him,” he added.

Tipsters, call the New Castle County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-395-8110 or visit www.nccpd.com  

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steve.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.

Roberts pleads guilty in hit-and-run accident involving Rachel Hall

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Rashan Roberts, the 18-year-old charged in the hit-and-run accident involving senior lacrosse player Rachel Hall in April, pled guilty at the Criminal Justice Center on Thursday morning.

According to court records, Roberts pled guilty to an accident involving death or personal injury. He was arrested by police on May 6, and waived his preliminary hearing on May 22.

Roberts told investigators he “panicked” when he struck Hall on her bicycle at the intersection of Diamond Street and Park Avenue on April 29. He was driving his father’s 2012 silver Mitsubishi Galant with a learner’s permit at the time, and quickly fled the scene after striking the senior lacrosse goalie.

His sentencing is scheduled for October 13, according to court records.

Kathy Hall, Rachel’s mother, has been posting updates on Hall’s status on a Facebook page titled “Rachel Hall Temple Strong.” On May 27, Kathy posted that Rachel had been transferred from Temple University Hospital to Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.

In the page’s most recent post, Kathy said that Rachel’s family and friends have set up a You Caring Fund page to help pay for her recovery costs. Through July 26, nearly $4,000 has been collected toward a $25,000 goal. To donate, visit http://www.youcaring.com/rachelhalltemplestrong.

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steve.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.

 

Woman shot after leaving bar near Main Campus

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Police are investigating a shooting that occurred at 17th Street and Susquehanna Avenue last night that resulted in one woman being sent to Temple University Hospital.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said three women were leaving Han Enterprises Inc., a bar located near the shooting. They got into a vehicle before hearing a gunshot at around 11 p.m., he said.

Moments later, the driver felt heat and pain in her back, and realized she had been shot, Leone said. He added that they stopped a Philadelphia Police officer on Diamond Street, who transported the victim to Temple University Hospital.

The Inquirer reported that the woman was driving a 2012 Mazda west on Susquehanna Avenue, and was turning south on 17th Street was she was hit by the stray bullet. Police said they found 10 spent shell casings and several viles of crack cocaine near the scene.

A TU Alert was sent out about the incident at around 11:30 Thursday night.

Frank Banford, commanding officer of Philadelphia Police’s Central Detectives Division, tweeted last night that anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call 215-686-3093. Tipsters can also contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234.

 

Cosby admitted in 2005 to giving drugs to women for sex

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Court documents have been released that indicate Bill Cosby gave Quaaludes to women he intended to have sex with, the Associated Press reported.

Cosby testified in 2005 that he got the drugs and was planning to give them to women he wanted to have sex with, admitting to giving the sedative to at least one woman and “other people,” according to documents obtained by the AP Monday.

The AP was previously denied access to these records – Cosby’s lawyers said it would embarrass their client. The documents obtained were part of a lawsuit involving a former Temple University employee, and Cosby testified that he gave her three half-pills of Benadryl, the AP reported.

Since last year, more than two dozen women have accused the longtime comedian of sexual assault, citing events dating back to the 1960s, the AP reported. Amid these allegations, Bill Cosby resigned from Temple’s Board of Trustees on Dec. 1 of last year. Cosby served on the board for more than three decades.

“I have always been proud of my association with Temple University,” Cosby said in a statement made available by the university following his resignation. “I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees.”

One of the lawyers who represented Cosby in the 2005 case was Patrick O’Connor, the current chairman of the Board of Trustees. The AP continues to investigate court records pertaining to the case in 2005. The board’s next public meeting is scheduled for July 14.

Police investigating armed robbery at T-Mobile store

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Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the T-Mobile store at 1600 N. Broad Street at around 8:25 Monday morning.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said that the suspect entered the store through the rear door, and displayed a gun toward at the store’s employees. He took two deposit bags contained $6,000, and then fled the scene, Leone added.

Leone said that surveillance cameras last captured footage of the suspect walking east on Oxford Street from 12th Street, and that photos from those cameras are being reviewed by both Temple and Philadelphia police.

A TU Alert was sent out about the incident at around 8:50 a.m. No injuries were reported.

The suspect was described as a thin-built male in his 20s, last seen wearing a dark blue sweatshirt, blue jeans, sunglasses, black and blue Jordan sneakers and carrying a blue and white T-Mobile store bag. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234.

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steven.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.

Police investigating armed robbery on Carlisle Street

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Temple Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred early Wednesday morning on the 2000 block of Carlisle Street.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said that at around 2:50 a.m. on Wednesday, two non-Temple affiliated males were walking on Carlisle Street when another male exited a car and displayed a black revolver handgun. Leone added that the suspect demanded the victims’ money and phones, took the items and then fled north on Carlisle Street.

Leone said police saw the suspect get into a silver Mercury sedan on Susquehanna Avenue, which then sped off. Police are reviewing camera footage of the incident, he added.

A TU Alert was sent out at around 3:20 a.m. Leone said no injuries were reported. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234.

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steven.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.

Roberts waives preliminary hearing

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Rashan Roberts, the 18-year-old arrested for his involvement in the hit-and-run of Temple senior lacrosse player Rachel Hall last month, waived his preliminary hearing today at the Criminal Justice Center in Center City.

Roberts was arrested May 6, and faces a charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death or injury, and driving without a license. Defense Attorney Michael Hanamirian said Roberts waived his preliminary hearing to make legal proceedings easier on the Hall family.

Prosecutor David Lim said he spoke with Kathy Hall, Rachel Hall’s mother, during the past couple of days, as she remains by Rachel’s side at Temple University Hospital. Kathy Hall told Lim that Rachel can open her eyes, but is still unconscious.

Hanamirian said the Roberts family is sorry for the incident last month.

“This is certainly a tragedy,” he said. “The Roberts family is hoping Rachel makes a full recovery … Rashan is fully upset and sorry for the accident.”

Roberts’ formal arraignment hearing is scheduled for June 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steven.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.