Psych Evaluation Delays Hearing in Roxborough Homicide Case

The Roxborough woman accused of killing a 70-year-old blind woman by allegedly shoving rope and other items down her throat must complete a psychological evaluation to see if she is fit to stand trial.

Judge Teresa Carr Deni delayed a status hearing in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia until Wednesday so Geraldine Cherry can take a psych exam.

Cherry, 50, faces murder charges for the June death of Kathleen McEwan, 70, at a Parker Avenue apartment complex in Roxborough where they both lived. Police originally said McEwan died of natural causes, but her death was later attributed to asphyxiation. A  lodged in her throat, and the medical examiner ruled it a homicide. 

On Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore and public defenders Fred Goodman and Greg Blender agreed to push the status hearing one day so Cherry could complete the examination.

As , McEwan died June 10, but the death was not ruled a homicide until later that month. Cherry, who like McEwan was a client with human services organization , was arrested June 20. Her initial status hearing July 11 was similarly delayed because an illness prevented her from undergoing the exam.

Goodman said Tuesday that Cherry's illness had prevented him from interacting with his client frequently. Although he wasn't sure of the extent of her illness, he said the exam should be completed in time for Wednesday's hearing.

"The evaluation will determine what her options are... Until she's deemed competent, we can't proceed any further," Goodman said.

If she passes the exam, the Wednesday status hearing will establish the date for a preliminary hearing in the fall.

If not, Cherry will be committed to Norristown State Hospital, a mental institution.