JENKINTOWN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The two people accused of killing a woman in a Cheltenham Dunkin drive-thru in April are ordered to stand trial on murder and conspiracy charges.
Zakkee Alhakim, 34, of Philadelphia and Julie Jean, 34, of Elkins Park are accused of shooting and killing 35-year-old Rachel King in her car in the drive-thru, while her 11-year-old son sat in the backseat.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said Jean hired Alhakim to kill King because Jean was having an affair with King’s longtime boyfriend, and she was upset that the affair had ended.
“She found somebody that had no involvement with the victim in this case, and used him to assassinate … this poor woman who was driving her child to a violin lesson,” Steele said.
The D.A. credits police work and cooperation from the community for their ability to collect video from several sources to track Alhakim’s movements that morning.
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At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors showed videos of a car they say Alhakim was driving when he stalked King from her home to the Dunkin at the Melrose Shopping Center on Cheltenham Avenue.
While she waits in her car in line, a man alleged to be Alhakim can be seen on video approaching the driver’s side window and firing six shots into the car. The boy, who was in the car when his mother was shot and killed, was not physically injured.
King’s father, Allen King, says his grandson has the support of family and their faith in God.
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“We believe that he's doing well because he's healing, because the Lord is bringing healing to him. Doesn't mean there are not difficult moments and times and days. Absolutely, there are,” he said.
“In some ways, I think that perhaps he has done better than the rest of us. There's a resilience that children seem to have.”
Alhakim’s attorney says the evidence is circumstantial and they look forward to their day in court. Jean’s lawyer argues there isn’t enough evidence to connect her to the crime.
Both defendants have a formal arraignment scheduled for Oct. 11.
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