A Lancaster man was killed last year in a Lancaster Township store parking lot over $90 worth of “lean,” a cough syrup-based concoction, according to district court testimony Monday.
Kareem Ross, of Delaware, was one of two men who robbed 19-year-old Jared Weaver on Sept. 26, 2015, at Advanced Auto Parts, 1003 East King Street.
Weaver, who was to sell the “lean,” was shot in the chest when he was confronted by Ross and his cousin, Rashan Ross, according to a Manheim Township police detective.
Following a preliminary hearing Monday, District Judge Mary Mongiovi Sponaugle ordered Kareem Ross, 24, be tried in Lancaster County Court on counts of homicide, robbery, conspiracy to robbery, and theft.
Rashan Ross is charged with the same crimes.
First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen argued at the hearing that the Rosses arranged, via cellphone, to buy “lean” from Weaver, but robbed him instead.
“The lean is gone,” Larsen argued to Judge Sponaugle. “They weren’t going to pay for that lean.”
Manheim Township police Detective Brent Schultz testified of the analysis of both Rosses’ cellphones, which were involved in phone conversations with Weaver and were determined to be at the scene of the homicide.
Both phones were transported from Delaware to Lancaster on Sept. 26, 2015, and returned to Delaware after the shooting, Schultz testified.
Surveillance video of the homicide showed two males confronting Weaver before Weaver falls to the ground, Schultz testified.
A man who was with Weaver prior to the planned drug deal told police Weaver made arrangements to sell “lean.” The man watched Weaver measure, then pour the substance into a baggie, prior to getting out of a car to meet the buyers, according to testimony.
Kareem Ross’ formal arraignment is Nov. 23.
Rashan Ross, 27, is in a Delaware prison awaiting extradition to Lancaster County.
Both are presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright