Murder trial postponed for Feltonville-crash drivers

A preliminary hearing for Ivan Rodriguez, charged with murder and related offenses in the deaths of three young girls and a mother in the horrific Feltonville crash last week, was postponed yesterday.

Assistant District Attorney Jude Conroy told Municipal Judge Teresa Carr Deni that codefendant Donta Cradock remains hospitalized and has not yet been arraigned. A status hearing was set for July 15.

Police said that Cradock, 18, drove a Pontiac into a group of people on a sidewalk on 3rd Street near Annsbury about 7:30 p.m. June 10, killing Remedy Smith, 11 months; Aaliyah Griffin, 6; and Gina Marie Rosario, 7. Remedy's mother, LaToya Smith, 22, died the next day.

Police spokeswoman Officer Jillian Russell said yesterday that Cradock is in critical but stable condition at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He won't be arraigned until his condition improves, Homicide Sgt. Bob Wilkins said.

Rodriguez, 20, and Cradock allegedly hijacked a motorcycle from a man on Rising Sun Avenue. Rodriguez fled on the motorcycle, while Cradock fled in the Pontiac and moments later barreled into the young victims, authorities said.

Aaliyah Griffin's service were Tuesday. A Funeral Mass for Gina Marie Rosario will be said at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 5th Street and Girard Avenue. The girl's family has requested that those who attend wear white.

A viewing for Remedy and LaToya Smith will be held tomorrow from 9 to 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church of Bala Cynwyd, 314 Levering Mill Road, with a service to follow at 11 a.m., the church confirmed yesterday. *