Leroy shooting suspect's case will go to trial

A Philadelphia judge ruled yesterday morning that Chris Crawford, of Wilmington, Del., will face trial for allegedly shooting College senior Patrick Leroy last Wednesday. Senior Municipal Court Judge Lynwood Blount also denied a request from the District Attorney to raise Crawford's bail, originally set at $25,000. Crawford was freed on that bail last Friday. Blount ruled that the District Attorney's office presented enough evidence to show that a crime was committed and that Crawford could be the perpetrator for a trial to proceed, according to Chief of Police Operations Maureen Rush. At an October 24 pre-trial hearing, a judge will set a date for Crawford's trial, and lawyers from both sides will exchange information about the case. Both the pre-trial hearing and the trial itself will take place at the Criminal Justice Center at 13th and Filbert streets. Crawford left the preliminary hearing at Philadelphia Police 18th District headquarters at 55th and Pine streets with his parents, Rush said. A preliminary hearing for Albert Bandy, also a suspect in Leroy's shooting, is set for October 7 at 18th District headquarters, said Geri O'Donnel, a spokesperson for the District Attorney's office. Rush said University Police and Philadelphia's Southwest Detectives are continuing their investigation into the belief that a third man participated in the shooting. Since last week's shooting, the University has taken several extra measures to increase campus security. Last night, 10 Spectaguards began patrolling campus from 40th to 43rd streets between Chestnut and Baltimore streets. Security Director Chris Algard said the guards, who carry radios connecting them to University Police, will walk in one- and two-man patrols. The Public Safety department will conduct a survey of students and faculty to determine their perception of and interest in the guards, he said.