Watch CBS News

2 Former Temple University Police Officers Charged With Murder

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two former Temple University police officers are facing murder charges in the death of a woman in Germantown last week.

Investigators say the 24-year-old Joyce Quaweay was beaten to death Friday morning in a home on the 4600 block of Greene Street.

Officials say police were called to the scene and were met by medics performing CPR on Quaweay. The officers saw a man, later identified as 47-year-old Aaron Wright, sitting on the steps leading to the second floor. According to police, Wright stood up and said "I'm the one you want." He was then taken into custody without incident.

Aaron Wright2
(credit: police)

Further investigation revealed Wright was the boyfriend of the victim and admitted to beating Quaweay until she collapsed. He was charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Restraint among other related charges.

Police also arrested 41-year-old Marquis Robinson for his involvement in Quaweay's death. Robinson had fled the house before police arrived at the home. He was charged with Aggravated Assault and Conspiracy to Murder among other charges.

Marquis Robinson2
(credit: police)

"The boyfriend had stripped her of her clothes, had handcuffed her to a weight bench, and used some type of baton to beat her throughout her entire body. The friend was actually helping to position the female and turn her and contort her body in certain positions so the boyfriend could beat her in those areas of her body," said Philadelphia Police Captain James Clark.

Clark added that authorities believe it was some type of police baton that was used.

Family of the victim spoke with Eyewitness News, saying that the couple were black Hebrews, but say violence toward women is not part of their faith. "In our culture, we don't, our men don't beat on us. We're not supposed to be beaten on," said Zakaryah Yasharahla, Quaweay's cousin.

Police could not say whether they had been called to the house before, but the victim's cousin says she was desperately trying to get out of the relationship.

 

Temple University confirmed to Eyewitness News that Robinson was fired as a university police officer this weekend.

Wright was also an officer at the school before he resigned in 2012.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.