Julie Jean, 35, of Elkins Park, and Zakkee Alhakim, 33, of Philadelphia, stood trial in a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, August 29. Each has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy for the killing of of 35-year-old Rachel King in the Dunkin’ drive-thru lane in Cheltenham in April.

Prosecutors said the murder-for-hire was premeditated over a period of weeks after Jean’s affair with King’s fiancé ended. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, when King found out about the affair, her fiancé ended his relationship with Jean, who attempted to resume the relationship through “incessant phone calls and messages” which resulted in a temporary restraining order against her in December.

Alhakim’s and Jean’s lawyers argued that the prosecutors’ case was made up of circumstantial evidence.

Jean and Alhakim, courtesy of Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office

District Attorney Kevin Steele said that the evidence proves their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. From The Inquirer’s article:

In February, Jean contacted Alhakim, 34, meeting up with him several times in West Philadelphia, according to testimony during Tuesday’s hearing. During those meetings, Jean provided Alhakim with multiple photos of King and her son, as well as instructions on how to enter King’s apartment complex without being noticed.

A photo taken by detectives from Alhakim’s cell phone, displayed in court, depicted Jean holding up her cell phone to the camera, displaying a recent picture of King.

Weeks before King, 35, was killed in the drive-thru, Jean also bought Alhakim a used Mercury sedan to use in the killing, prosecutors said.

NBC10 reported that police believe Alhakim was the gunman and Jean was the mastermind.

“I wanted to be able to hate the defendants. And in seeing them I don’t hate them. However, justice will prevail.” Rev. Allen King, Rachel’s father, said on Tuesday. “And anyone that knew my daughter loved my daughter. Clearly the defendants did not know my daughter.”

Their video coverage is below:

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Screengrab courtesy of NBC10