Teen charged in SEPTA slaying is accused of shooting

One of five teens charged in the slaying of a Starbucks manager on a SEPTA concourse last year was back in jail yesterday morning, accused of shooting a friend in the chest.

Kinta Stanton, 17, was part of a gang of teenagers accused of jumping Sean Patrick Conroy on a Center City concourse in March 2008 near 13th and Market Streets. The frenzied assault broke four of Conroy's ribs and left him gasping for air, triggering an asthma attack that killed him.

Stanton has been under house arrest since being charged with third-degree murder and conspiracy. His trial is scheduled to begin Monday.

Police said Stanton was playing with a gun Wednesday morning in the basement of a North Philadelphia rowhouse when the gun discharged. The blast struck a 17-year-old friend in the torso, critically injuring him. The teen was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center for emergency surgery. Another teen in the room was uninjured, police said.

Detectives recovered a shell casing but had not found the gun, said Sgt. Ray Evers, a police spokesman.

Police charged Stanton with aggravated assault, simple assault, and numerous weapons counts.

"I'm not sure why Stanton was out on house arrest," Evers said. "I have no idea why."

Stanton's attorney, Lonny Fish, has maintained that Stanton did not participate in the attack on Conroy.

Another 17-year-old, Rasheem Bell, pleaded guilty Feb. 24 to his role in the attack and is expected to testify against Stanton.