Briefly...

Trial set in Cassidy shooting

A Nov. 3, 2009, trial date was set yesterday in the capital-murder case of John "Jordan" Lewis, accused of shooting Police Officer Chuck Cassidy in the head on Oct. 31, 2007, at a Dunkin' Donuts in West Oak Lane. Cassidy, 54, died the next day.

Defense attorney Michael Coard yesterday confirmed before Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Minehart that he is not planning to pursue a mental-health defense in the case.

Also yesterday, a Jan. 21 hearing was set for a defense motion seeking to sever Lewis' murder trial from robbery charges unrelated to Cassidy's death.

Man wanted in fatal shooting

Police issued an arrest warrant yesterday for Darren Wilder, 19, on charges that he fatally shot Richard Carter, 19, Monday night, following an argument on Greenway Place near Cobbs Creek Parkway.

Wilder's last known addresses are Saybrook Avenue near 71st Street and Lindbergh Boulevard near 61st Street. Tipsters can call the Homicide Fugitive Squad at 215-686-3068 or -3084.

Goat killings investigated

Police and the Pennsylvania SPCA are investigating what they believe was a form of ritual sacrifice: five goats that were found beheaded in Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia.

George Bengal, director of investigations for the PSPCA, said a jogger found two of the goats propped against a tree in the park on Wednesday. Three more goats were found in the park yesterday morning. All of the goats had been drained of their blood and spray-painted, Bengal said. Tipsters can call 215-686-3153 or -3154.

Jail time in bank larceny

David McGrath, 48, of Northeast Philadelphia, was sentenced yesterday to four years in federal prison on one count of bank larceny.

McGrath pleaded guilty in April, admitting that he had stolen $497,796 of funds from the Lock Haven Area Federal Credit Union, causing its decertification and eventual closure. McGrath was the owner of Hook Financial Services, which serviced ATMs.

The credit union had contracted with McGrath to service its ATMs, and between April 2002 and August 2005 McGrath stole the funds.

Baby boy still suffering

A 3-month-old boy remains in critical condition at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with broken ribs, a skull fracture and cerebral hemorrhaging after his Upper Darby babysitter reported his injuries to police on Nov. 24. Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood is "outraged" that the child's parents are being uncooperative with the investigation, he said. *

- Staff and wire reports