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Josh Kruger killer Robert Davis convicted

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Will the city now release the texts and other evidence from the case?


Left: Josh Kruger (via Facebook) | Right: His killer, Robert Davis (via Philadelphia Police Department)

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Josh Kruger killer Robert Davis convicted

Robert Davis is expected to spend the next 15 to 30 years of his life in prison for the murder of Josh Kruger, a well-known Philadelphia activist, journalist and pontificator. Davis learned his fate Monday in a Philadelphia courtroom after pleading guilty to third-degree murder, among other offenses.

The sentencing was part of a plea deal with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's office, which released a statement just after Kruger's death praising him for his work in the community. But things quickly changed when it became clear that this was not a random act of violence. Police said text messages between Kruger, who was 39 at the time of his death, and Davis, who was 19, indicated the two had a personal relationship. And Davis' family later accused Kruger of sexually abusing Davis and supplying him with drugs, dating back to when Davis was just 15 years old. Police found methamphetamines in Kruger's bedroom, and Kruger's brother told me he found drug paraphernalia in Kruger's house after the murder.

Last week, Davis' mother spoke out publicly, demanding that the city release the texts between Kruger and her son. Typically, investigators and prosecutors do not release this information while a case is open. But now that the sentence is over? I have requested that the Philadelphia Police Department and Krasner's office provide me with the texts and any other relevant records that may concern the nature of Kruger's relationship with Davis. Both said they would get back to me. I will keep you informed.

Ori Feibush closes all OCF cafes

Controversial South Philadelphia real estate developer Ori Feibush, who once ran for City Council, is closing his three OCF Coffee House locations. Why is this so important? Cafes, bars and restaurants close all the time, right? The difference here is that Feibush announced his decision just days after his cafe staff decided to unionize.

In numbers

$3 million: What Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to spend on providing public school students with free tampons and pads. Naturally, some of Pennsylvania's more radical Republican lawmakers aren't comfortable with the idea and are likely still using terms like “the curse” and “the visitor.”

40: Approximate number of former Wanamaker employees who say they never received the pensions they were promised. And if you're sitting there wondering, “What is a Wanamaker?” well, that's how we know you're not from here.

94: Maximum projection in Philadelphia for next Tuesday. But humidity should be low. So you'll have to save your “It's not the heat, it's the humidity” phrase for another time.

Local talent

If you're ready for some trippy theater, you need to head to the Wilma to catch the world premiere of Hilmadirected by Philadelphia talent Morgan Green, who last year directed Fat ham at the Wilma, and featuring a group of Philadelphia actors. It's a wild sight that you won't soon forget. And it's also so much fun to say, “I just saw Hilma at Wilma. If trippy theater isn't your cup of tea, fear not: we've got plenty of other ideas for what you should do this week.



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