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February 23, 2012

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Ex-Philly officer will get life for fatal shooting

A former Philadelphia police officer has been convicted for shooting a neighbor while off-duty

By MaryClaire Dale
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — A former Philadelphia police officer has been convicted of first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed neighbor during an off-duty melee outside his daughter's baby shower.

The verdict will send 45-year-old Frank Tepper to prison for life without parole in the death of 21-year-old William Panas Jr.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry said Thursday that no one — not even police — can recklessly shoot someone in the chest and get away with it.

He says it's not clear Panas was even involved in the initial brawl.

Defense lawyer Fortunato Perri Jr. argued that Tepper fired in self-defense. But he said he respects the jury's work during several days of deliberations.

The November 2009 shooting stoked tensions in the city's Port Richmond neighborhood.

Tepper will be sentenced on March 29.