A Philadelphia man escaped the penalty of death by lethal injection when the jury deliberating his sentence deadlocked after nine hours.

Delaware County Court Judge Frank T. Hazel on Wednesday sentenced Vander Keith Clayborne, 29, of the 200 block of South 60th Street, to life in prison when the jury of seven men and five women could not agree.

Clayborne was found guilty Oct. 9 of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Jeffrey Savage, 34, outside an Upper Darby apartment complex in November.

Assistant District Attorney James F. Mattera Jr. said he pushed for the death penalty because "Clayborne killed Jeffrey Savage while attempting to kill Raymond Craig."

Clayborne mistakenly believed that Craig, 29, of Philadelphia, had burglarized his home on Nov. 14. According to Craig's testimony, Clayborne threatened to kill him that evening.

The next day, Craig and his cousin, Savage, drove to Savage's apartment in the 6500 block of Marshall Road, Upper Darby.

As the men left the car, both were shot at. Savage was fatally shot in the abdomen. Seconds later, Craig was shot in the thigh.

Defense attorney Gerald A. Stein argued that Clayborne had a long history of mental illness and that Clayborne's mental capacity was diminished at the time of the shootings.

Jeffrey L Savage aka Chuckie was born to Gertrude and Lawrence on June 15th 1956 in Philadelphia, Pa. He lived in Upper Darby, PA, Philadelphia, Pa and Ridgely, Md during his lifetime but his heart belong to his neighborhood - 55th Street between Chester Ave and Baltimore Ave where he was well known!

His great-grandmother was Irene. His beloved grandmother was Dorothy aka Momma. His siblings included Wayne, Peachies, Wanda and Tony. His wife and the love of his life is Barbara. His children are Tyisha, and Jeff Jr. His parent-in-laws are Terry & Jimmy. His sister-in-laws are Belinda, Bev & Stephanie. His brother-in-laws are Doug, Mr. Bob and James.

At the time of his death he had 17 nieces and nephews, He loved and cherished them all but his most favorite and the ones that were always with him and around him were Tarif (Pnut), Neaki, Lenny, Kia, Tanya, Antonio, Lil Tyisha, Fifty cents (aka Shamika), Tanyelle, Mann Mann & Dominic. His favorite Aunts were Aunt Pearl, and Aunt Hattie. His favorite uncles were Uncle Junnie, and Uncle Ontry. He loved all of his cousins but he considered his closest ones to him to be Billy, Cookie, Boobie, Nate, Janice, Desiree, Niecy (Denise), Delia and Sissy. Some of his very best friends included Sundance and Brick.

Chuck loved his family, friends and neighbors. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for you if he could. He would give the shirt off of his back and take food out of his freezer if you needed it.

Chuck was educated in the Philadelphia school district. He served in the military and later worked for Apple Storage Co, Ira Davis Moving Co, Sunni Cheese Co, Specta Guard (concert and events security) and Marshall Apts (property manager). Chuck always maintained at least two jobs at a time.

Chuck enjoyed music, cars, motorcycles, fishing, traveling back and forth to Maryland visiting Momma & Herb, and being the life of the party. Most of all Chuck loved and enjoyed his family and friends.