So avoid a situation of double jeopardy, state police withdrew drug charges in one case against two men who are already on trial for similar drug offenses.
Since identical evidence was expected to be presented in both cases, police dropped charges Tuesday in one case against Steven E. A. Lopez-Temple and Derrick Vincent Draft Jr.
Lopez-Temple, 25, of 650 Fourth Ave., and Draft, 20, of Philadelphia, were charged following an incident at Elmira Street and Center Place in the city on March 30. Lopez-Temple was charged with conspiracy to possession with intent to deliver 180 grams of crack cocaine and conspiracy to possess drug paraphernalia.
Draft was charged with tampering with physical evidence, criminal trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police dropped the charges against both men at the office of District Judge James Carn.
Also before Carn, city police dropped charges against two other men in separate cases after the victims failed to appear for court.
Police withdrew charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering against Allen E. Nash, 37, of 2613 Dove St., who was arrested for allegedly pushing his wife, Nykeana through a closed basement door during a disturbance at the couple's home on Sept. 9.
Police also dropped charges of burglary and receiving stolen property against Jeret Harvey, 29, of 890 Poplar St., who was arrested for breaking into Sarah Smith's apartment in the city on May 13. The victim and Harvey are acquainted, police said.
