2 CHARGED IN 7 SLAYINGS OVER 'NICKEL-AND-DIME' DRUG RIVALRY

PHILADELPHIA -- Two men were charged yesterday with killing seven people in
a drug house last month over what police called "nickel-and-dime drug
dealing." Two others were charged with weapons and drug offenses.

The massacre, the city's worst shooting in decades, stemmed from one group
of dealers undercutting the other's prices, police Capt. James Brady said.

"For literally a couple bucks, these individuals were slaughtered," he
said. "We're not talking hundreds of thousands of dollars, but pennies."

Jermel Lewis, 23, and Sacon Youk, 19, were charged with seven counts of
homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault and simple assault,
recklessly endangering another person and robbery.

The two other men were charged with drug and weapons offenses. Police would
not elaborate on the charges.