Judge orders separate trials for Sled murder suspects

The move comes after negotiations for a plea bargain for one of the defendants, Bridgette Black, fell through earlier in the week. A Philadelphia judge yesterday ordered separate trials for the three suspects accused of killing University biochemist Vladimir Sled in October 1996. Eugene "Sultan" Harrison, 33, and Yvette Stewart, 30, will be tried together in May for two alleged crimes: the robbery and murder of Sled near 43rd Street and Larchwood Avenue, and the robbery of a Philadelphia Daily News driver at 52nd Street and Girard Avenue earlier that day, Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Temin ruled. The third defendant, 26-year-old Bridgette Black, who allegedly stabbed Sled, will be tried alone. She is scheduled for another preliminary hearing February 19, giving lawyers on both sides more time to work out a possible plea agreement. Assistant District Attorney Dick Carroll had been negotiating with Black's lawyers in the hopes of securing her testimony. A deal now seems unlikely, although Carroll did not rule it out. The prosecutor said Black's attorneys have not told him exactly what they want in an agreement -- only that his suggestion of a sentence "tantamount to life [in prison]" is too high. Yesterday, Carroll said such a sentence would have to be for at least 40 years. Dean Owens, a public defender representing Black, declined to comment yesterday. Attorneys for Harrison and Stewart did not return phone calls. Carroll speculated that if the two sides are unable to reach a deal by the February 19 hearing in front of Temin, Black may ask for a "degree of guilt" hearing. In that situation, Black, of the 5100 block of Reno Street, would admit to committing a crime and ask Temin to determine what type of crime it is. Temin could find her guilty of third-degree murder, which, unlike first- and second-degree, does not mandate a life sentence. "It's a slim chance, but it would be the only one she's got," Carroll said, adding that there is very strong evidence linking her to the murder. In a statement Philadelphia Police claim she gave them after her arrest, Black admitted to stabbing the Russian-born scientist when he fought back against Harrison. The prosecution can use that statement against her in a trial, but cannot legally use it against Harrison, of the 5200 block of Arch Street, or Stewart, of the 500 block of North Allison Street, without also having Black testify. "I'd like to have her testify, but we don't always get what we want," Carroll said. The case against Stewart and Harrison is "do-able either way," he added. Harrison and Stewart were assigned a May 4 trial date in front of Common Pleas Judge Eugene Clark. Carroll said, however, that the date is a conflict for him and he may seek to have it changed. Carroll did not want to try Black with the other two defendants because he would be unable to charge them with the Daily News robbery in a joint trial. Black was not involved in that robbery. The case against Stewart is "thin," Carroll said, because she remained in the car during the Sled robbery and has claimed not to have known Harrison was planning a robbery. The earlier robbery implicates Stewart in the Sled murder, Carroll said, because the two alleged crimes were similar. Other evidence against her includes the fact that she disguised her appearance at a line-up and even had her sister stand-in disguised as her, Carroll said. In a statement Philadelphia Police claim Harrison gave them, Harrison admitted to robbing the couple. But he denied any part in the murder.