Conviction Delivered In Trial For Bristol Twp. Man Killed On Birthday

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA — A Philadelphia man was convicted Friday of killing a "velvet teddy bear" on his 38th birthday during a robbery in 2016, authorities said.

George Javon Clark, 34, of Philadelphia, was convicted Friday of third-degree murder in the July 2016 killing of Herbert Lyals, 38, a father of three, in Bristol Township, following a week-long jury trial, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said..

Clark, who had lived in the nearby Bloomsdale neighborhood, had heard Lyals had money, so he and an accomplice went to Truman Street that night specifically to rob him, authorities said.

During the robbery, Clark shot and killed Lyals, who authorities described as a “velvet teddy bear."

Sentencing is scheduled for a later date.

Clark was found guilty on multiple charges, including third-degree murder, robbery, criminal use of a communication facility, attempted theft, and criminal conspiracy.

His alleged accomplice, John Marquis Wilson, 45, also of Philadelphia, is awaiting trial on charges of third-degree murder, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, robbery, and related offenses.

Authorities say that shortly before 1 a.m. on July 27, 2016, Lyals received a phone call.

After the call, he told someone he'd be right back before stepping outside his cousin's residence in the 5000 block of Truman Street in the Terrace neighborhood, where he had been celebrating his birthday with relatives and friends.

Immediately after he exited, two loud pops were heard, authorities said.

During the trial, several witnesses testified to hearing the gunshots and going outside to find Lyals shot, with his cellphone near his body. Someone attempted to call the last number on Lyals' phone back, but no one answered.

Lyals was found dead with gunshot wounds to his face and chest, and two 9-millimeter casings were found near his body, authorities said.

The investigation revealed crucial details about the events leading up to Lyals’ death, including six calls between Lyals and Wilson between midnight and 12:45 a.m. on the day of the murder, and 15 calls and two text messages between Wilson and Clark from 10:36 p.m. on July 26, 2016, and 2:16 a.m. on July 27, 2016.