Detective cites shooting confession

A homicide detective testified in Common Pleas Court yesterday that a Southwest Philadelphia man confessed to him that he shot to death four men, including his own uncle, in a bar.

Detective John Harkins said Vonzell "Pooh" Roundtree, 28, admitted to him in writing that he fired the shots that killed his uncle, Jamar Thompson, 31; Thompson's friend Stacy Gallmon, 36; Claude Snelling, 30; and Arthur Jennings, 20, inside Abay Wheelers Bar at 62d Street near Wheeler Street.

Roundtree is accused of killing the men after patrons finished watching a televised boxing match between Bernard Hopkins and Ronald "Winky" Wright on July 22, 2007. Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin Lerner is presiding over the nonjury trial.

Harkins said that when he interviewed Roundtree on July 28, he asked who shot the men. According to Harkins, Roundtree replied: "I did."

He testified that Roundtree went on to say: "I didn't go into the bar with no intention of killing anyone . . . . I wish I could take it all back."

Harkins said that Roundtree told him he started shooting after he saw a man strike Thompson.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Selber read from autopsy reports and a police ballistics report on the incident, in which she said that at least eight shots were fired in the bar. She said a few days later, police recovered a duffel bag with the name "Pooh" written on it in a nearby drug house.

Selber said the bag contained barber's equipment and three handguns, including a 9mm Beretta that ballistics tests showed matched the bullets and casings found in the bar.

She said that Thompson had three gunshot wounds to the back, that Snelling was shot in the abdomen and legs, that Jennings was struck in the arm and chest, and that Gallmon was shot in the abdomen and wrist.

Gallmon died two days after the shooting in a hospital. Selber said the shooting forced doctors to amputate both of Gallmon's legs in an effort to save him.

On Monday, defense attorney David Nenner said the issue is whether Roundtree committed first-degree or third-degree murder, which could mean the difference between life in prison and a lesser sentence.

Nenner said toxicology tests indicated that Roundtree was under the influence of PCP, ecstasy and alcohol when the shootings occurred.

The trial resumes tomorrow.