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Video Captures Death Of Philadelphia Tow Truck Driver; Murder Trial Ordered For Rival

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Philadelphia tow truck operator has been held for trial on murder charges after video surveillance tape showed the victim being run over repeatedly by a tow truck.

A witness says a turf war between rival tow truck drivers led to the murder last September (see related story).

The video is brutal and horrifying to watch, as the victim is run over, then again, then a third time.

Witness Jonathan Marrero says it began with rival wreck chasers arguing, then defendant Glen McDaniel, 25, and victim Ray Santiago squaring off and fighting (another related story).

Marrero says McDaniel's female friend tried to break it up.

Then, according to Philadelphia prosecutor James Berardinelli, McDaniel took it to a whole other level.

"Showing pretty clearly this was intentional," Berardinelli says of the surveillance video.  "The defendant actually backed his truck away, sort of getting a running start if you will, then runs over Mr. Santiago, goes beyond him, backs up again and then is well beyond him, and then runs at him one more time and again really skids over him, locking up the brakes the third time."

Marrero, the eyewitness, says he rushed over to help.  The videotape shows several other people standing around the victim's body but quickly leaving the scene before police arrive.

And prosecutor Berardinelli says the video, about as brutal as you'll ever see, is clear evidence of an intent to kill. The defense declined to comment after the hearing.

Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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