Phoenixville Teen Heads to Trial for 2011 Murder

Former Phoenixville Area High School student Monique Robinson, 19, went to trial on Monday for her role in the September 2011 murder of a Phoenixville man, according to the Times Herald.

Robinson, 18 at the time of the crime, faces charges of robbery, conspiracy, and first-, second- and third-degree murder. The Herald is reporting that the prosecution is expected to rely on the testimony of, among others, Saleem I. Williams and Stephen Reidler, who have already pleaded guilty to murder charges in the case.

According to court documents, Phoenixville man Selvin Lopez-Mauricio, then 22, died on Sept. 14, 2011 of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen he sustained during a shooting and robbery on Prospect Street in downtown Phoenixville.

Police say on the night of the shooting, Lopez-Mauricio and his uncle were walking back from Wendy’s in Royersford, where the victim worked, when they were approached by Williams, Reidler and Robinson—who were possibly on their way to rob a drug dealer known as “D.”

Police say Reidler and Williams beat Lopez-Mauricio and robbed him of his backpack, which contained food from the restaurant as well as his paycheck, while Williams used a pistol Robinson provided to keep his uncle back. (Robinson, according to testimony at her preliminary hearing, may not have thought the gun was operational.)

Police say the trio stole the backpack and ran off, Robinson carrying it, but Lopez-Mauricio caught up with them on Prospect Street near Starr Street and a struggle ensued between him and Robinson. At this point, Williams shot Lopez-Mauricio in the abdomen, according to police.

Police say the trio returned to Williams’ Bridge Street apartment, where Robinson helped divide the contents of Lopez-Mauricio’s backpack.

After news outlets began reporting on the homicide, Robinson became a fugitive and didn’t turn herself in to authorities until Dec. 27, 2011. According to The Times Herald, Prosecutor Peter Hobart believes this indicates a “consciousness of guilt” on Robinson’s part.

If convicted of first- or second-degree murder, the woman faces a mandatory of life in prison with no chance of parole, the paper is reporting. The trial is expected to last a week.

Previous Phoenixville Patch Coverage of the Case

• Gunman Pleads Guilty to Murder of Phoenixville Man
• Murder Defendant Appears in District Court on Drug Charges
• Preliminary Hearing Held for Robinson on Murder Charges
• Police: Unknown Where Robinson Was Hiding
• Breaking: Third Phoenixville Murder Suspect Turns Herself In
• Report: Murder Suspect Robinson May Be in North Philly
• Police: Alleged Shooter Had Drugs at Time of Arrest
• Chief: Black Bag Is Key to Murder Investigation