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Police Probe Murder of Philadelphia Man Previously Targeted in Alleged Internet Plot

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It was a case that became known as the "Facebook murder case" -- an alleged plot to kill a West Philadelphia man that was thwarted at the time with the arrest of two people.

But now, Corey White is dead, just hours after the two people in the original case were ordered to stand trial for attempting to arrange the original hit via Facebook.

Authorities say that London Eley allegedly wanted to kill White, her former boyfriend, because he had broken up with her.

According to investigators, she went on Facebook looking for a hit-man and Timothy Bynum answered the call.

They were arrested back in June (see related story) and remain in custody.

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(London Eley, left, and Timothy Bynum are charged in the original Facebook-based alleged murder plot.)

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They were held for trial yesterday, during a preliminary hearing.

Then last night at approximately 7:45 p.m., Corey White, 22, of the 5100 block of Webster Street, was shot and killed on the 5100 block of Hadfield Street.

Philadelphia police homicide unit captain James Clark says two men in a brown car approached White near his West Philadelphia home, one got out of the vehicle, and after a verbal confrontation shot White in the chest.

There have been no arrests in this murder, but police are investigating a link to the earlier plot.

Capt. Clark says there a couple of other theories, but he wouldn't elaborate.

Eley's attorney, Gerald Stein, says he knows of no evidence that his client, who is still in jail, was involved.  And he says that any connection between his client and the killing is "completely speculative."  Bynum's attorney was not immediately available for comment.

Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060

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