Alleged Philadelphia "Basement of Horrors" victim testifies

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

The dank basement room in Philadelphia where Gregory Thomas, Linda Ann Weston, Jean McIntosh and Eddie Wright, inset from left to right, allegedly held captive four weak and malnourished mentally disabled adults is seen Oct. 17, 2011.

The basement room in Philadelphia where Gregory Thomas, Linda Ann Weston, Jean McIntosh and Eddie Wright, inset from left to right, allegedly held four malnourished mentally disabled adults captive, Oct. 17, 2011.

(Credit: AP Photo/Philadelphia Police Department)

(CBS/AP) PHILADELPHIA - One of the mentally disabled men found locked inside a Philadelphia basement in October testified Monday that he has spent the last 10 years locked in rooms and closets across the country by defendant Linda Ann Weston.

Pictures: Philly Basement of Horrors

Edwin Sanabria, 31, told the court that Weston made him sign papers giving her access to his monthly Social Security check to her in 2001, and he never saw his monthly $674 again.

Sanabria said Weston kept him and others hostage in Florida, Texas, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Weston, 51, along with her boyfriend, Gregory Thomas, 47, and Eddie "the Rev. Ed" Wright, 50, were originally charged with kidnapping, assault, and false imprisonment. According to CBS Philly, prosecutors have added charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, stalking, theft, and neglect.

A landlord found Sanabria and three other people locked in a filthy sub-basement on October 15. The case widened when police found six children, ages 2 to 19, who had also allegedly been traveling with Weston. One was identified as Weston's niece, who was reported missing in 2009.

"She appears to be severely malnourished and looks like she's probably been beaten over a large portion of her life," Capt. Jack McGinnis of the Philadelphia Police Department told CBS Philly.

Two of the other children belonged to Tamara Breeden, the woman found captive in the basement. According to Sanabria's brother, Breeden and Sanabria have been a couple for more than a decade.

According to court documents, Weston was found guilty in 1984 for murdering her sister's boyfriend by locking him in a closet and refusing to feed him for two months. She was released after serving eight years.

Complete coverage of the Philadelphia "Basement of Horrors" case on Crimesider

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by lobaroja85 December 21, 2011 12:06 AM EST: "According to court documents, Weston was found guilty in 1984 for murdering her sister's boyfriend by locking him in a closet and refusing to feed him for two months. She was released after serving eight years."

.... yeah; Reply to this comment

by meincalifornia December 20, 2011 5:20 PM EST

look. the folks the keepers and the kept come into contact with...gov't and it's many employees are so removed from the realities these folks live and put up with everyday. The gov't and county employees are well protected by their unions and have lots of resources to aid in their day to day problems. Common sense isn't even an option. Understand it to a certain extent. But, then how long have these agencies doing this kind of work? Why haven't they figured it out and simplified the process? Why? because the customers are ignorant poor and all things no good. No fight, no complaints, heck they don't even understand. Let us keep paying those salaries, thriving in the fishbowl employees and management, gov't agencies and those of us who just want the problem to go away, or it ain't my problem, or not in my backyard, or lazy bums...whatever your excuse or the the worst...I AM SO SORRY!!! for what? You ain't living my ?*&^%$t. Another recession silver lining. You'll get the picture...SOON.

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by Tech_Junkie December 20, 2011 6:07 PM EST: When are you going to stop hating on the government and start taking on personal responsibility and start making this a better world. With that rant you have going on, the FBI should be keeping a closure eye on YOU!


by LibbyB1963 December 20, 2011 3:45 PM EST: Just think. Lived off these poor souls and now they get to live off us. Hopefully, while living off us, someone in the system gives them a little back if you know what I mean. What a bunch of sickos.; Reply to this comment