A vigil was held Tuesday afternoon at True Gospel Tabernacle Family Church in South Philadelphia for alleged murderer Michael White. It was organized by the church and White’s family.
More than a dozen members of White’s family, all of whom wore T-shirts with his image and the word “freedom” emblazoned across the front, prayed along with more than 30 supporters. The group prayed for White and the family of Sean Schellenger. White is accused of stabbing Schellenger, a real estate developer, to death near Rittenhouse Square on July 12.
“Michael is facing the fight of his life,” said Bishop Ernest McNear of True Gospel Tabernacle Family Church. He called for White to be treated with dignity and respect.
White has a scheduled preliminary court hearing before Municipal Judge Charles Hayden at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center, 1301 Filbert St., Room 306.
White has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime. He was denied bail and is being held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
McNear told the crowd that White’s charges have been reduced, but the District Attorney’s Office had no comment to confirm or deny the statement.
