PHILADELPHIA (October 5, 2026) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit on Monday announced a recent third-degree murder conviction of defendant Darien Ramsey for a 2024 fatal beating in North Philadelphia.
A jury convicted Defendant Darien Ramsey (DOB 05/05/1964) of the following on Sept. 24, 2026:
- Third-degree Murder (F1)
- Possessing an Instrument of Crime (PIC) (M1)
On February 1, 2024 at approximately 6 p.m., police responded to a radio call for a person with a weapon on the 2700 block of North Ringgold Street. There they saw a male matching flash description, later identified as the defendant, Darien Ramsey. The officers stopped that male and arrested him for an outstanding probation warrant. Meanwhile, additional officers and medics rendered aid to Mark Jennings, 55, who was lying unresponsive on the nearby sidewalk. Mr. Jennings was intubated and diagnosed with bleeding in his brain and ultimately died from his injuries on February 5, 2024 without regaining consciousness.
Eyewitness testimony revealed that the defendant and decedent were seen arguing all throughout the day on February 1, 2024. The eyewitness stated that they were arguing over a relationship with a female and that from a block away the witness heard defendant Darien Ramsey strike the decedent in the back of the head with a stick or pipe. The eyewitness stated that they saw the defendant kick the decedent in the head twice while the decedent was lying on the ground and heard the defendant yell “I told you I was gonna kill you.” The witness identified themself as the 911 caller who reported the assault and subsequently identified the defendant in a photo array.
On December 3, 2024, Ramsey was transported to the homicide unit for an interview after being apprehended in New York. During his interview, Ramsey denied killing the decedent but did admit to knowing him, being present, and striking him with a stick immediately before the killing. Ramsey claimed “somebody else” hit the decedent in the head with a baseball bat.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 20 before Judge Giovanni Campbell.
“In an age of modern forensics and surveillance, this case would not have been solved if not for an eyewitness who had the courage to come forward and speak up about what they witnessed to maintain the safety of their community,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “That is what Philadelphia is all about — neighbors looking out for neighbors. I also want to thank Assistant District Attorney Sean Perez for successfully prosecuting this case and obtaining justice for Mr. Jennings and his family.”
“This case underscores just how important it is to call 911 if you see something, and to stay engaged with police and prosecutors throughout the process,” said Assistant District Attorney Sean Perez. “I also want to thank 39th Police District officers who responded, Northwest Detectives and the Homicide Division for their outstanding work on this investigation.”
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.