Trial begins of alleged jewel thief who left son behind

Jeweler Yaniv Cohen said he did not believe the couple who came into his South Street store about 3 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2010 were serious about buying a ring.

Moments later Cohen realized how serious they were.

Cohen told a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury this morning that the encounter cost him about $50,000 in stolen rings and left him with a six-inch gash on his throat - and the couple's four-year old son.

Cohen was the first prosecution witness to testify in the trial of John Benson, 48, and Sheakia Stubbs, 32, charged in the robbery of Cohen inside his store Platinum & Ice at 621 South St.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lipscomb said the evidence will prove that Benson tried to kill Cohen - slashing his neck and trying to stab him - after the jeweler chased him from the store after he and Stubbs fled with their son, Samir.

When Benson was caught by Cohen and realized police were near, Lipscomb said, he ran and left his son behind.

Benson faces the more serious charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault in the incident. Stubbs is charged with robbery and related counts as well as child endangerment for allegedly taking their son to the robbery.

In her opening statement, Stubbs' attorney, Kristin Quinn, said the evidence against her would not justify a robbery count.

"Ms. Stubbs is guilty of choosing the wrong kind of man but that doesn't make her guilty of committing a robbery," Quinn said.

Benson's attorney, Bruce Wolf, urged the jury to keep an open mind and ensure that the prosecution proves every count against his client beyond a reasonable doubt.