Albert Levitt, 87, psychologist

Albert Levitt, 87, of Flourtown, a retired chief psychologist for the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, died Thursday, March 26, at home of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Born and reared in Logan, Dr. Levitt moved to Flourtown in 1980.

He quit high school to join the Army in December 1945 and was honorably discharged in October 1947. When he returned stateside, Dr. Levitt finished high school at Temple High School. He went on to earn undergraduate and master's degrees from Temple University.

In March 1967, he began work at the court. His job was to determine whether defendants were competent to stand trial. If they were convicted, he would provide a mental health screening for the presentencing report.

He rose to the position of chief psychologist before retiring in 2012.

Dr. Levitt evaluated many notorious criminals. Among them were Harrison "Marty" Graham, who killed seven women in North Philadelphia, and Joey Coyle, who was accused of absconding with $1.2 million that fell from a Brinks truck onto a South Philadelphia street in 1981. Graham is serving a life sentence; Coyle was acquitted.

Dr. Levitt also was called by the defense to form a psychiatric team to evaluate Craig Rabinowitz, who strangled his wife in 1997 at their Merion home. He is serving a life prison term for murder.

Dr. Levitt "had an interesting and colorful career," said his son, Marc.

An expert in jury selection, Mr. Levitt was privately retained by defendants to advise on who should be kept on juries for the most favorable outcome.

Dr. Levitt wrote in the field of forensics. He published Insanity and Incompetence: Case Studies in Forensic Psychology in 1984.

He was an avid golfer and a longtime member of the Flourtown Country Club. He also enjoyed photography, opera, and classical music.

He was married to Claudette Pantarelli for 61 years.

Surviving, besides his wife and son, are another son, Samuel, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services and interment were private. A memorial service is being planned for the end of April.

Contributions may be made to the Parkinson Council Inc., 111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 141, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004.