District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that Rasheed Robinson, 29, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime and violations of the Uniform Firearms Act.
The body of 25-year-old Deja Lewis was discovered in her apartment on Oct. 8, 2022, on the 2000 block of Napfle St. in Rhawnhurst. Investigators determined that Robinson murdered her one day prior, following an argument. Robinson had been staying with her after murdering Lewis’ stepfather in August 2021. At the time of Lewis’ murder, there was an active arrest warrant for Robinson for his role in the stepfather’s homicide.
Robinson was arrested in Upper Darby three days after Lewis’ murder. During the arrest, investigators recovered two cell phones and a firearm. Ballistics from the victim’s apartment matched the recovered weapon. Additional warrants allowed searches of Robinson’s phones and cell site location data, which confirmed his presence near the crime scene. Recovered text messages also revealed that Robinson had tried to convince Lewis to retract her statement to police implicating the defendant in her stepfather’s murder.
Robinson was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Common Pleas Court Judge Scott O’Keefe.
“I commend Assistant District Attorney Josh Myers for his skillful prosecution of this case,” Krasner said. “And of course, this conviction would not have been possible without the strong evidence, including top-rate forensics, that was achieved thanks to the very thorough investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department. And last but not least, thanks to the jury for handing down a just verdict in this trial. Rasheed Robinson no longer poses a grave threat to the community.”
“I want to thank the assigned Philadelphia police detective, Tom Bartol, for conducting such an excellent investigation in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Josh Myers. “I also want to thank the Philadelphia jury that considered all of the evidence in this case and delivered justice for the family and friends of Deja Lewis. A very dangerous individual is now off the streets.” ••
