DA says man charged in Philadelphia officer's killing was acquitted in 2019 homicide case

The suspect accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia police Officer Shane Seiber was cleared of murder two years ago in a separate case, and District Attorney Larry Krasner now says that earlier prosecution was undermined by a flawed police investigation, according to several outlets.

Seiber, 40, died over the weekend after he and a fellow officer were sent to North 52nd Street on a report of an armed person, FOX 29 reported. Investigators say gunfire met the officers as they arrived. According to WHYY, Seiber was struck three times, and the second officer, whose name has not been released, survived at least 12 gunshot wounds and is recovering.

Eric Lewis faces counts that include murder, attempted murder and assaulting a law enforcement officer, WHYY reported. FOX 29 said he allegedly shot at nine officers, hid in a tree and then gave himself up. The outlets disagree on his age: WHYY put it at 35, FOX 29 at 34. He is presumed innocent.

In a video released Tuesday, Krasner said Lewis went on trial in 2023 over the 2019 death of Christopher Williams in West Philadelphia. Citing sources and Williams' family, 6abc said the confrontation started when Williams sounded his horn at Lewis, whose car was double-parked. WHYY reported that a judge found Lewis not guilty following a two-day trial, with questions raised about the police work and conflicting testimony.

"This man is out of custody because a balanced, good and fair judge did what he had to do," Krasner said, according to WHYY.

The district attorney alleged that an officer tied to the Williams case was romantically involved with Lewis' sister and worked against his own testimony, in part by fabricating a tip about a suspect who did not exist. "Some of the conduct involving an officer and one of the detectives is arguably criminal," Krasner said, as reported by 6abc. Sources told 6abc that Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel later fired that officer, who is fighting the termination and was not a key part of the prosecution's case.

The Police Department did not respond to the criticism point by point, 6abc reported, saying in a statement that the focus belongs on Seiber's family and the injured officer.

WHYY also reported that Lewis faced assault and weapons charges in 2011, but that case was never tried because the principal witness died of natural causes. Krasner said more charges are possible, pointing to reports of 911 calls and potential domestic violence complaints.

According to WHYY, Lewis had been a Philadelphia Water Department tradesman for less than two years, and the city says it is examining how he was hired.

FOX 29 reported that Seiber served two tours in Iraq with the Air Force before joining the police force in 2016. He is survived by his wife and two children. His funeral Mass is set for next Tuesday at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Compiled by True News from reporting by WHYY, CBS Philadelphia, 6abc Action News and FOX 29 Philadelphia. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/109