Eric Lewis, linked to the ambush killing of a Philadelphia police officer, was previously acquitted in a 2019 murder case. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner cited police misconduct as a key reason for the acquittal.
Current Charges Against Lewis
Lewis, aged 35, is charged with the murder of Officer Shane Seiber. Charges include homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. Additionally, Lewis faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and other related offenses.
“Why this man was out of custody? The answer is this, this man is out of custody because a balanced, good and fair judge did what he had to do because two absolutely excellent prosecutors did everything humanly possible with a case and an investigation that was so deeply flawed. It was not just full of errors and mistakes, very serious ones, but some of the conduct involving one police officer… And one detective is arguably criminal. Yes, I said criminal,” stated Krasner.
Investigation Conduct
Krasner criticized the conduct during the investigation of Lewis’s earlier case. He revealed that misconduct included an officer’s fake tip about someone named “Spice” being the killer. This information was inaccurate and aimed to sabotage the case against Lewis.
The incident led to a report to police internal affairs. Consequences for involved officers included one dismissal and another facing disciplinary action. The Philadelphia Police Department responded by emphasizing the need for true leadership and accountability.
Background of the Fallen Officer
Officer Shane Seiber, a dedicated Philadelphia Police officer, was a 40-year-old father of two, and an Air Force veteran. His passing leaves a profound impact on his family, including his wife, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. He served the police department for a decade.
Eric Lewis’s Criminal Record
Lewis’s criminal history began in 2012 with convictions for theft and receiving stolen property. More charges followed in 2013 for gun offenses and assault, resulting in probation. In 2018, he pled guilty to disorderly conduct, again receiving probation.
Krasner and others involved in the case have been making efforts to ensure justice is served while accusations of misconduct continue to complicate matters. The events remain a sensitive matter for the grieving Philadelphia Police community.