Suspect details beating death of cabbie

“D.R.” — a nickname for Daniel Russell, 20, of Arlington Heights.

Mr. Moore had gone to the home of King Edwards, 20, of Beltzhoover, where he had been living along with Mr. Edwards’ mother and grandmother. Mr. Edwards also is charged in the case as is Christen Glenn, 19, of McKeesport.

They initially considered robbing a pizza delivery driver, but dropped the idea because it was getting late and the pizza shops were closing for the night. That's when “D.R.” came up with the alternate plan of calling a cab. Which he did, Mr. Moore said.

Mr. Moore said he resisted the idea of the robbery but, “Somebody told me to quit bitchin’. I just felt that I didn't want to do it but I did it anyway,” he said.

Mr. Moore said the cabbie was told to report to Climax Street, just a minute or two walk away from where the call had been made from the Edwards home on Curtin Street.

Mr. Moore said he was the first to reach the cab and he punched Mr. Mohamed.

He said Mr. Russell and Mr. Glenn pulled the cabbie from the vehicle, threw him to the ground and began kicking and beating him. He said Mr. Edwards also “threw a punch but I don't know if it hit him.”

As the driver lay moaning on the ground, Mr. Moore said he and Mr. Glenn searched the cab for money or other valuables.

They left only with Mr. Mohamed's cell phone and the key to the cab. No money was obtained.

Back at the Curtin Street home after the assault, Mr. Moore said “D.R. was bragging” about the beating but there was also argument: what to do with the body as well as the cab. “We were arguing about the whole situation,” Mr. Moore testified, including who might be likely to “snitch.”

He said he told Mr. Russell, “I'm not gonna rat.”

Mr. Moore said he moved the cab to a nearby church in an attempt to hide it.

As to why Mr. Mohamed was left at the scene, alive, it is unclear. But testimony Friday from Pittsburgh police homicide Detective James McGee indicated that the mother of Mr. Edwards called police. Mr. Edwards and Mr. Moore were at the house when that call was made, according to Mr. Moore's attorney, Kevin Abramovitz.

Mr. Moore said he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the assault.

Mr. Russell sought medical attention for his injured right hand the day after the assault, according to city police Detective Garrett Spory, who also testified Friday.

Mr. Moore waived his preliminary hearing.

Mr. Abramovitz said there currently is no deal with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office to reduce the charges against his client.

But, he acknowledged, “We're certainly anticipating a benefit for (my client's) truthful testimony.”

Deputy District Attorney Ilan Zur said he could not comment on any plea agreements.

The other three defendants also were held for court by District Judge Armand Martin. All four are charged with homicide, robbery and conspiracy. All were in jail without bond, each in the Allegheny County lockup with the exception of Mr. Moore. His attorney declined to say where he is being held.

Mr. Mohamed was Somali and a member of the Bantu ethnic minority. His wife and two young children still live in Kenya.