Christopher Roney

Background

Christopher Roney (born December 15, 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), known by the stage name Cool C, was an American rapper whose musical career peaked in the late 1980s.

In the mid-1980s, Roney was an original member of the Philadelphia-based Hilltop Hustlers hip hop crew. His 1987 debut single, "Juice Crew Dis," took aim at the New York-based hip hop crew run by influential rap producer Marley Marl, a group that included Kool G. Rap and Big Daddy Kane.

Roney released two full-length solo albums on Atlantic Records: his debut I Gotta Habit in 1989 (including the hit title track and "Glamourous Life") and Life in the Ghetto in 1990.

In 1991, Roney put his solo career aside to join the hardcore rap group C.E.B., which stood for "Countin' Endless Bank." C.E.B. included fellow Philadelphia rappers Warren McGlone (Steady B) and Ultimate Eaze. The trio released their only album, Countin' Endless Bank, on Ruffhouse Records in 1993, to disappointing sales and reviews.

The offence

On January 6, 1996, around 8:30 in the morning, Christopher Roney and accomplice Mark Canty entered a Philadelphia bank dressed as utility construction workers and forced several employees to open the bank vault at gunpoint. Canty went into the vault with two of the women while Roney held a third at gunpoint.

Canty shouted to Roney, "Here comes the heat," and Roney replied, "Don't worry; I'll take care of them."

When Police Officer Lauretha Vaird, described as the first officer to respond to the silent alarm, approached the front door of the bank building and entered the bank, Roney fatally shot Lauretha in the abdomen and then ran past her through the front door. Canty fled from the bank through a side entrance, leaving his gun behind.

Outside the bank, Roney exchanged gunfire with the second officer to arrive on the scene. After escaping the shootout, Roney jumped into a getaway vehicle, a green minivan driven by another accomplice, Warren McGlone, and the vehicle sped away.

Later that morning, the three men met at McGlone's home to discuss the robbery. Police found the abandoned getaway vehicle and various pieces of the robbers' disguises, and they recovered two weapons lying on the ground outside the bank. One weapon was traced to a relative of Canty, who had discovered the weapon had been stolen; it had last been seen in Canty's possession. The other gun was traced to a friend of McGlone, who had purchased the weapon for McGlone.

During the botched heist, Roney shot and killed Philadelphia Police Officer Lauretha Vaird, who responded to the bank's silent alarm. As he exited the bank, Roney exchanged fire with another police officer before he and Canty dropped their weapons at the scene and fled in a stolen minivan driven by McGlone.

Vaird was described as an African-American woman and a single mother of two children, and as the first female Philadelphia Police officer killed in the line of duty. Lauretha was 43 years old and had served for 9 years. A song named "Slipped Away, The Ballad of Lauretha Vaird" was written in honor of the fallen officer.

Investigation

Police found the abandoned getaway vehicle and various pieces of the robbers' disguises. They recovered two weapons lying on the ground outside the bank.

After being taken in for questioning, Canty and McGlone confessed to participating in the robbery.

Arrest

Roney was arrested.

Trial

Roney was arrested and, on October 30, 1996, convicted of first degree murder.

Sentencing

At the subsequent sentencing hearing, Roney was sentenced to death by lethal injection.

Roney was sentenced to death and the two accomplices received life sentences.

Appeals

Roney steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the trial and appeals process, despite the testimony of three eyewitnesses who placed him at the scene of the robbery, as well as ballistic and forensic evidence that linked him to the murder.

Outcome

On December 13, 1996, Roney was sentenced to death by lethal injection.

On January 10, 2006, his death warrant was signed by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and his execution date was set for March 9, 2006. On February 1, 2006, Pennsylvania Judge Gary Glazer granted a stay of execution until all post-conviction litigation is resolved.

Roney was currently incarcerated in a Pennsylvania state prison awaiting execution, and he was an inmate at Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institution at Greene.

Other details

Roney and accomplice Mark Canty attempted a bank robbery at a PNC bank branch in Philadelphia, described as occurring during the same time period that he was recording a comeback EP.

Roney was described as known for notoriety surrounding his involvement in the murder of a Philadelphia Police officer in a bank robbery in January 1996.

Roney was to have been put to death on March 9, 2006, but his execution had been stayed.