Dorsey
Authorities have been saying for at least 15 months that they know who pulled the trigger when a senior woman and her roommate were shot to death inside their Holmesburg rowhouse in 2014.
Last week, Philadelphia police released the identity of the alleged killer publicly, along with a photo of him.
Ronald Dorsey, 27, of the 1100 block of E. Upsal St. in West Oak Lane, is wanted for the slayings of Dollie Evans, 67, and Ruby Thomas, 57, inside a house on the 4700 block of Vista St. on Aug. 23, 2014. Police named Dorsey on March 9, less than three weeks after Dorsey’s alleged accomplice in the crime pleaded guilty to third-degree murder charges, thereby sparing himself from the spectre of the death penalty and giving himself a shot at freedom someday.
The accomplice, James Mears, 26, remains in prison without bail and is scheduled for an April 20 sentencing before Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin Lerner.
During a hearing for Mears in December 2014, a police homicide detective read a transcript of the defendant’s confession. Mears stated that he was renting a room in Evans’ house and was helping her sell crack cocaine when he conspired with a friend known as “Mann” to shake down Evans for her drugs and cash.
Mears told police that on the afternoon of the slayings, he left a door to the house ajar so that his friend could burst into the place and rob the occupants. Mears was to play as if he were a victim, too. In addition to stealing $700 in cash and $500 in drugs, however, the gunman shot Evans in the head, then used a power cord to strangle Thomas, who witnessed the crime. The gunman shot Thomas, too. Mears meant to split the proceeds with his partner, but police arrested Mears beforehand.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Dorsey on Feb. 24. He should be considered armed and dangerous and has been known to frequent the area of 2100 Edmund St.
Call the Homicide Unit at 215–686–3444 or 911 to report information. ••
