Accused getaway driver in killing faces trial

A man who allegedly drove the getaway car in a March 24 murder-for-hire at a Chinese restaurant in Grays Ferry was ordered Wednesday to stand trial for murder.

Marcus C. Pough, 25, was charged with murder, possession of a prohibited firearm, and related charges in a preliminary hearing before Municipal Court Judge Patrick F. Dugan. Formal arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 7.

The charges stem from the shooting death of Damon G. Stafford, 20, at the Twin Dragon restaurant.

Called to the stand by Assistant District Attorney Lorraine Donnelly, Philadelphia Homicide Detective William Sierra read from a statement he took from Pough in which Pough acknowledged owning the van used in the murder.

Questioned by defense attorney Regina Coyne, Sierra said police officers towed the car, which they were interested in, and Pough was subsequently brought in.

Pough was approached by two unnamed men, according to the statement, who asked him whether he would like to make money by joining them in a $10,000 murder-for-hire. Pough acknowledged in his statement that he knew both men.

After driving around the restaurant "a few times," the two gunmen went up with T-shirts tied over their faces but could not get in. One gunman then fired through the door, the statement read, and the two men got back in the car and Pough drove off.

According to the statement, Pough never received the money and did not know who hired the gunmen.

Pough identified the two men's photos, Sierra testified.

Coyne asked about the towing of the car and Pough's being brought in for questioning, but did not contest the statement.