Trial begins for 3 charged in Piazza murders

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - November 14, 2011

Prosecutors say 43-year-old Will Hook, 44-year-old Edward Daniels and 30-year-old Antonio Wright committed the murders over drugs.

34-year-old Rian Thal and 40-year-old Timothy Gilmore were killed in the Piazza at Schmidts building in Northern Liberties back in 2009.

Police say they found cocaine and more than $100,000 in Thal's apartment.

Last week, two men pleaded guilty to their roles in the murders.

Donnell Murchison pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Langdon Scott pleaded guilty to robbery, burglary and conspiracy charges.

Those pleas came as jury selection was set for those two men along with four other defendants in the killing of Thal and Gilmore.

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