DA drops charges in store owner’s killing, jailed man released after two years

    A man jailed for more than two years on charges he killed the owner of a Philadelphia check-cashing store during a robbery will soon be freed after prosecutors agree his alibi checked out.

    The Philadelphia Inquirer reports prosecutors dropped the charges Friday against 34-year-old Eric Locke, of north Philadelphia.

    Locke had been awaiting trial on charges he robbed then shot 53-year-old Joel Blumer on March 3, 2012 as he was opening B&R Check Cashing.

    A witness testified that he heard a gunshot and saw Locke run past, then return and pick up a bag Blumer had removed from his trunk.

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    Locke has claimed he was in Williamsport visiting his children’s mother that morning and that cellphone records prove that. Prosecutors dropped the charges after they agreed, despite other witnesses who also identified Locke.

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