Alleged Sled killer pleads not guilty

Two of the three suspects in the Halloween night stabbing death of University biochemist Vladimir Sled pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, robbery, theft and related charges yesterday. Bridget Black, who allegedly stabbed Sled five times, and Yvette Stewart, who allegedly waited in the getaway vehicle, entered not-guilty pleas at a formal arraignment, which officials described as a quick, routine procedure typical of most murder cases. The third suspect, Eugene "Sultan" Harrison, is scheduled to appear in a police lineup February 12 and at a preliminary hearing the following day. In a hearing last month, Harrison's court-appointed attorney, Tariq El-Shabazz, requested and was granted a lineup for his client after Sled's fiancee, University researcher Cecelia Hagerhall, mistakenly identified El-Shabazz as the perpetrator. Sled, a well-respected researcher, was murdered October 31 on the 4300 block of Larchwood Avenue while walking home from work with Hagerhall. Sled had been attempting to stop assailants from stealing Hagerhall's purse when Black allegedly stabbed him. University Police Detective William Danks explained that yesterday's pleas are not final -- noting that "99 percent of the time" defendants plead not guilty at the formal arraignment -- and the suspects have the option of changing their pleas any time before the start of the trial, which could be as long as a year away. But Lee Mandell, Stewart's court-appointed attorney, said the suspect will "absolutely" maintain a not-guilty plea throughout upcoming proceedings and the eventual trial. And Black's not-guilty plea contradicts a January 15 Philadelphia Daily News report that she would plead guilty at the arraignment in exchange for a life sentence. Assistant District Attorney Richard Carroll, who has said he will pursue the death penalty for all three defendants, has denied that a plea bargain is in the works. Only the judge and the defendants' attorneys were present at yesterday's arraignment, in which the District Attorney's office presents the defense attorneys with bills of information detailing the charges against the suspects. University Police Detective William Danks explained that such a bare-bones meeting -- Carroll was not present -- is normal procedure. "Half the time the District Attorney doesn't attend, and in almost all cases the defendant is not there," Danks said. The defendants now have 30 days to file motions before a series of status hearings begins. Yesterday's proceedings essentially determined that the two suspects will go to trial after a judge is assigned to handle the case, Danks said. And it is still unclear whether Black will maintain her not-guilty plea. "What they did today is not binding forever," Danks said. "They can change their mind at any time." At January's preliminary hearing, Philadelphia Homicide Detective Thomas Perks read a November 21 statement by Stewart describing a night in which the three suspects smoked crack and purchased alcohol en route to Billybob's restaurant at 40th and Spruce streets. At 43rd Street and Larchwood Avenue, Stewart witnessed Black and Harrison allegedly robbing Hagerhall while Sled tried to foil the crime. Stewart saw Black "swinging her arms, like she was trying to beat the man off Sultan." "I seen the guy let go of Sultan and the guy fell straight down to the ground," Stewart said in the statement. Harrison's preliminary hearing -- in which the prosecution will attempt to show that the suspect probably committed the crime -- is scheduled for February 13 at 9 a.m. in Room 903 of the Criminal Justice Center at 13th and Filbert streets. Carroll, Danks and University Police Detective Patricia Brennan told The Daily Pennsylvanian last month they felt they had a strong case against the defendants.

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