Trending Topics

Police slaying suspect back in Philly

The Associated Press
Read full news report

PHILADELPHIA — A man accused of killing a police officer during a doughnut shop robbery was arraigned Saturday after authorities brought him back from Miami, where he was arrested in a homeless shelter.

John Lewis, 21, was being held without bail after being charged with murder, robbery, theft and other counts at the arraignment, prosecutors said in a statement. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.

District Attorney Lynne Abraham said she has not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case.

Officer Chuck Cassidy, 54, a married father of three, was shot when he walked in on a robbery at a Dunkin’ Donuts on Oct. 31. He died the next day.

Lewis fled the city and was arrested at a homeless shelter in Miami on Tuesday. He told reporters after his arrest that he confessed to killing Cassidy.

A cousin of the suspect has been charged with obstruction of justice and hindering arrest. He is accused of buying him a bus ticket and driving him to a Greyhound station in Wilmington, Del., authorities said.