Police: witness’ slaying unrelated to murder case

    Police say the deadly beating of a witness in a Philadelphia murder case was unconnected to the man’s involvement in the investigation.

    Homicide Capt. James Clark tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that 26-year-old Akeel Prout’s killing appears to be related to a domestic dispute. He declined to elaborate because an investigation is ongoing.

    Six men attacked Prout late Saturday, punching and stomping him outside his girlfriend’s West Philadelphia house.

     

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    Prout witnessed the October 2011 homicide of a schoolteacher killed by a stray bullet. He initially identified the gunman as 19-year-old Daniel Shelley, but recanted at Shelley’s preliminary hearing, testifying he did not know the defendant and had never seen him.

    Prosecutors still plan to use Prout’s initial statement at Shelley’s trial, which is set to begin April 15.

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