3 found guilty in killing of Rite Aid manager

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- Three people have been found guilty for the murder of a Rite Aid manager in Chester, Delaware County.

Rita Pultro, 24, David Wiggins, 25, and Tariq Mahmud, 24, were charged with murder, robbery.

40-year-old Jason McClay was killed back in September 2013 at the store in the 2700 block of West Ninth Street during what investigators call a botched robbery.

Not long after the guilty verdicts were announced Wednesday, relatives and friends of McClay hugged one another, pleased with the outcome.

"Justice has been served but I've lost my son and the defendants' families have lost their loved ones too and it's a no win situation but justice has been served," said Margie Reiley, victim's mother.

After a trial delay that lasted a week, it took a Delaware County jury less than two hours to convict the three suspects.

Pultro was found guilty of firing the shot that killed McClay. Mahmud and Wiggins were convicted of second degree murder.

Mahmud, a former Rite Aid loss and prevention officer, coordinated the robbery with inside information about the store's operation.

Two other suspects had previously pled guilty in the plot.

"It's sweet and sour, it's like Marge said, justice has been served but there are no winners and there are no losers, everybody's lost something," said Bruce McClay, victim's brother.

As it turns out, the Navy veteran wasn't supposed to be working the night he was killed.

After working his shift during the day, he volunteered to work for another manager who was running late from her National Guard training.

"When people didn't have money to pay, I understand he would pay for their prescriptions if they didn't have the money so he was a kind, kind soul and I'm very proud of him," said Reiley.

Back in January, Rite Aid donated $10,000 for security cameras in the city of Chester.

Delaware County officials were also pleased with the guilty verdicts.

"Justice has been served and first of all, we want to extend our condolences to the family because there's nothing that can ever replace a loved one," said Mayor John Linder.

Police Chief Joseph Bail also thanked Action News viewers for all the tip calls that led to the identities of the suspects.

"Your news team was able to put the pictures on that evening and the phone calls started coming in right away, and this is what we've said all along, if you see something say something, call us and let our guys do their jobs," said Chief Bail.

Pultro, Mahmud, Wiggins and the two suspects who previously pled guilty, are all being held without bail and are expected to be sentenced next month.

Investigators had said Pultro and Wiggins shot 40-year-old Jason McClay during an attempted robbery.