Trial postponed in veteran's death

The Philadelphia trial of a Cedarbrook woman for the 2010 robbery-murder of an 87-year-old World War II veteran was postponed until Tuesday after the defense lawyer fell ill.

Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart on Friday canceled the third day of testimony in the trial of India Spellman, 19, when defense lawyer Harry R. Seay said he felt ill. Minehart told the jury to return to court Tuesday - the courthouse is closed Monday for the Presidents' Day holiday - when Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lipscomb is expected to complete the prosecution case.

Spellman is on trial for two crimes committed in Cedarbrook the afternoon of Aug. 18, 2010, allegedly with 14-year-old companion Von Combs. The first was the gunpoint robbery of Shirley Phillips as she walked in the 7700 block of Rugby Street. About two hours later, authorities allege, Spellman shot and killed George Greaves during an attempted robbery as he stood in the driveway of his house on Pickering Avenue at Phil-Ellena Street. - Joseph A. Slobodzian