Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Hearing set in Star Social Club slaying
Half-brothers Tyrell and Timothy Jacobs have been charged in the shooting death of Eric Brown Jr.
WEST CHESTER » The two men who authorities say chased down a West Chester man after dispute on a local basketball court and shot him inside a popular borough social club, an act that was captured on security cameras, are scheduled to appear in court today.
District Magisterial Judge Marian Thayer Vito is expected to preside over a preliminary hearing for half-brothers Tyrell Jabobs and Timothy Lee “T.J.” Jacobs on first-degree and third-degree murder charges and related
counts for the April slaying of 26-year-old Eric Brown Jr.
The pair, who are from Brooklyn, N.Y. and Coatesville, respectively, and who were known to frequent areas in the West Chester and Coatesville area, fled the
borough after Brown was shot inside the Star Social Club. They were later discovered hiding in Philadelphia.
The hearing will be held at Vito’s court in the Chester County Historic Courthouse. Security is likely to be increased for the proceeding in the cramped courtroom.
The facts alleged in the criminal complaints are as
follows:
On April 10, the victim, Eric Brown, age 26, was playing basketball in West Chester. He then went to the Star Social Club. He was still carrying his basketball when he entered the Star at 9:02 p.m., police say.
Almost immediately, at approximately 9:03 p.m., the co-defendants entered the Star and began to engage with the victim.
Multiple witnesses were inside the Star and the interaction between the codefendant and the victim was captured on several video surveillance cameras, reads the complaint.
The co-defendants argued with Brown and attempted to draw him into an altercation, police say. Tyrell Jacobs then threw a punch at Brown, who did not respond. Other patrons intervened. The co-defendants tried to get the victim to go outside but Brown stayed inside, according to police.
Although the co-defendants continued with a verbal altercation, both within feet of the victim, Brown still refused to leave, according to the criminal complaint.
“After a couple of more minutes of confrontation, Tyrell Jacobs again punched the victim,” reads the complaint, filed by West Chester Detective Robert Kuehn and Chester County Detective James Ciliberto. “The victim responded to the punch by coming at Tyrell.
“Then both co-defendants attacked the victim. The victim fled from the codefendants, looping around the central bar area and pool tables. The defendants chased the victim around the interior of the Star, ultimately catching the victim between them at the back of the Star. The co-defendants both were brandishing firearms.”
The complaint then reads that the victim attempted to escape through a back door, while not realizing that a door leading from another smaller room was locked from outside.
The complaint reads: “Both co-defendants followed the victim towards the small room. Tyrell Jacobs entered the small room where the victim was trapped first. T.J. Jacobs was at the door of the small room with his gun out. Tyrell Jacobs fired one shot into the victim’s chest. The victim collapsed.”
Police say T.J. Jacobs immediately fled through the front door and Tyrell Jacobs attempted and failed to leave by the same locked door that Brown had tried to access. Both suspects got into separate vehicles and fled.
Following his death, an impromptu memorial service was held for Brown at a basketball court on the borough’s southeast side a small neighborhood park at Matlack and Miner streets.
An emotional Mayor Dianne Herrin said the entire community cared about Brown’s loss.
“We stand here this early evening, we stand together in unity,” the mayor said. “Because there is beauty in unity, strength in unity, power in unity and there is forgiveness when we come together in heart and mind.” Herrin wiped away tears. “Remember, death is not extinguishing the light,” she said. “It is only putting out the lamp, because the dawn has come.
“May the light of dawn shine forever on Eric Brown, all of the families and loved ones and friends, and on this community.”
The prosecution will be led by Assistant District Attorney Ryan Borchik. Tyrell Jacobs is represented by defense attorney Melissa McCafferty of Coatesville. It was not clear who is representing Timothy Jacobs.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.