Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Three civilians honored for ‘exceptional service’ during murder investigation
PLYMOUTH » Saying three civilians were “instrumental” in helping to get justice for the family of a young woman who was brutally stabbed to death by her exboyfriend at the Meadowbrook Train Station in Abington, Montgomery County’s top law enforcer presented them with commendations. Juan Vasquez, Carnell Kemp and Michael Mayer were presented commendations by District Attorney Kevin R. Steele during a recent ceremony at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus in Plymouth Township.
Steele recognized the three men for their “exceptional service to Montgomery County” during the investigation of the 8:15 a.m. July 27, 2020, fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Morgan Darlyn McCaffery.
“These three men were instrumental in helping to get justice for Morgan and her family,” Steele said during the ceremony.
Gilbert Newton III, 19, of Philadelphia, was convicted of firstdegree murder during a September 2021 jury trial and sentenced to life imprisonment for fatally stabbing McCaffery more than 30 times as the pair met at a secluded parking lot at the train station at Lindsay Lane and Mill Road to discuss their relationship.
Prosecutors argued Newton was angry that McCaffery had ended their relationship and lured the young woman to the secluded location with the intent to kill her.
Vasquez and Kemp testified during Newton’s trial.
Steele explained that as Newton was crouching over McCaffery’s body, Vasquez drove by in his work vehicle on the road above the parking lot and “noticed something just didn’t seem right” in the way Newton was standing over McCaffery, who was lying on the ground and wasn’t moving. So, Vasquez
stopped, causing Newton to run off and speed away in his white Jeep vehicle, Steele explained.
After Newton fled from the scene and Vasquez went over to McCaffery to see what had happened, Kemp and Mayer were attempting to turn their sanitation truck around in the area when they noticed Vasquez
and the young woman on the ground. They stopped to see what was going on and Kemp immediately called 911 and Abington Police were swiftly dispatched, Steele said.
“Mr. Vasquez was able to provide police with a description of the fleeing vehicle and a description of the suspect and his clothing,” Steele said.
Vasquez, Kemp and Mayer were among eight civilians and 29 law enforcement members who were
honored for what Steele characterized as “their extraordinary efforts, exemplary work and heroism” during the annual commendation ceremony.
“Montgomery County is a wonderful place to live and work for many reasons including the fact that residents are willing to step up to help law enforcement do their job of keeping us all safe and making sure criminals are apprehended and prosecuted,” Steele said.