More than 40 years after he pulled the trigger, the man who served time for the attempted murder of a Philadelphia police officer will stand trial because prosecutors say the wound that paralyzed the officer also killed him.
Jury selection begins Monday in the murder trial of 73-year-old William Barnes. He is charged in the 2005 death of Officer Walter Barclay.
Barnes shot Barclay during a robbery in 1966, leaving the rookie officer paralyzed. When he died in 2005, a medical examiner ruled Barclay's death a homicide, citing four decades of complications from the shooting.
Barnes served 26 years for attempted murder plus several escape attempts. He had been working at a supermarket and doing speaking engagements about his criminal history when he was arrested.
73-Year-Old Stands Trial for 1966 Cop Shooting
Philly man already served 26 years for cop’s attempted murder, but now officer is dead
Copyright AP - Associated Press
