Krasner accuses Philadelphia police commissioner of spreading misinformation as feud over officer's killing grows

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner accused Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel on Friday of spreading misinformation about an unsuccessful 2023 murder prosecution of the man now charged with killing a city police officer, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer and 6abc.

Eric Lewis, 35, is accused of fatally shooting Shane Seiber and critically injuring Officer Hector Rodriguez III on Oct. 10. The Inquirer called Seiber an officer, while 6abc described him as a sergeant. 6abc reported that federal prosecutors said Thursday a grand jury had returned an indictment against Lewis.

The Inquirer reported that Lewis had been charged in a 2019 road-rage killing in West Philadelphia and was acquitted by a judge at an April 2023 trial. 6abc described it as a 2019 acquittal.

In a video released after Seiber's death, Krasner attributed that outcome mainly to the work of a former officer and a homicide detective, saying some of their actions may have been criminal. The Inquirer reported that Krasner said Friday he is considering charges against both. The trial judge referred the detective to Internal Affairs, the Inquirer reported, and Krasner said the detective was disciplined and the officer was dismissed.

Bethel, speaking Thursday at the event announcing the federal case, called the video "absolutely unacceptable" at a time when officers and the city were in mourning, the Inquirer reported. He also indicated that prosecutors bore some responsibility for making sure detectives collected enough evidence for trial.

Krasner countered Friday that he made the video only after a person close to Bethel told news outlets the acquittal was his prosecutors' fault, both outlets reported. He declined to name that person. He described the investigation as among the poorest he had encountered in close to 40 years as a lawyer.

"There might have to be consequences for spreading misinformation," Krasner said, according to the Inquirer. He also complained of weak communication with Bethel and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, saying the city was not living up to the mayor's One Philly slogan.

The Inquirer said a Parker spokesperson declined comment. It also reported that police spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp said in a statement that Bethel stands by what he said and that the department's attention remains on Seiber's family and on Rodriguez as he recovers. By Friday evening, 6abc reported, neither the department nor the mayor's office had answered Krasner's newest remarks in public.

CBS Philadelphia likewise reported that the clash between the two officials was intensifying.

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

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/413