Four to stand trial in South St. slaying

Along South Street, Tom Watson was known as a popular, personable, and successful deejay.

But it was his reputed success in another field - selling marijuana - that got the 36-year-old Watson killed execution-style in an ice cream parlor below his apartment.

On Wednesday, four men were ordered to stand trial in Watson's May 11 slaying, after detectives read statements from three of them, telling how the plot to rob Watson of money and drugs came together and went awry.

More than 20 of Watson's friends attended the preliminary hearing, but several left in tears as Assistant District Attorney Jude Conroy played security video from inside and outside the South Street Haagen-Dazs ice cream parlor.

The graphic video shows Watson arriving about 3:10 a.m. and being forced inside, beaten and kicked, and shot in the chest and head. Watson's apartment was on the second floor, but he had to enter it through the shop.

One of the four defendants - alleged gunman Josephe L. Murray, 19, of West Philadelphia - waived his right to a hearing and will be tried on murder, conspiracy, and robbery charges.

Municipal Court Judge James M. DeLeon also held the others:

Lonnie Robinson, 40, of North Philadelphia, a bouncer who worked with Watson, will be tried on a count of second-degree, or felony, murder.

Larry E. Nelson, 47, of West Philadelphia, who allegedly came up with the plan to rob Watson and was the lookout outside the ice cream parlor, will be tried on a general charge of murder.

Clarence M. Pone, 38, of West Philadelphia, who allegedly joined Murray in accosting Watson, forced him inside the ice cream parlor, and helped beat him, will be tried on a general charge of murder.

According to Robinson's statement to detectives, read by homicide Detective Francis Graf:

Robinson first met Watson when they worked at the Copabanana restaurant at 40th and Spruce Streets in University City.

In time, Robinson and Watson became close, and he began helping Watson shuttle money and marijuana.

One night, Nelson approached Robinson in Copabanana and began talking about Watson.

"That boy is sitting on something more than you think. . . . We're going to get that money," Nelson said.

When Nelson suggested robbing Watson, Robinson said, "I told him I didn't want anything to do with it."

Still, Robinson agreed to tell Nelson when Watson was heading home, for a cut in the robbery proceeds.

On May 11, Robinson and Watson left with a friend, who dropped Robinson off at his home in North Philadelphia and then took Watson and his equipment to his apartment above the ice cream parlor near Third and South Streets.

Robinson had just got home when Nelson called; he told Nelson that Watson was heading home in a black Lincoln Town Car.

Robinson did not hear of Watson's killing until the next day and did not believe Nelson was involved until detectives showed him the video.

"I still can't believe he did this, but I saw the video," Robinson's statement concluded.