Eric Floyd and Levon Wrner were convicted of first-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of Philadelphia Police Officer Stephen Liczbinski.
Sergeant Timothy Simpson is the 6th Philadelphia Police Officer to die in the past two and half years. His death is a tragic reminder of all those who have paid the ultimate price. It was May 2006, Officer Gary Skerski was murdered while responding to an armed robbery. In October of 2007, Officer Chuck Cassidy was shot to death after walking in on a robbery. In May, Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski was shot and killed while investigating a bank robbery. In September, Officer Isabel Nazario was killed when a stolen vehicle rammed her police car. Just a few weeks later, Officer Patrick McDonald was shot while chasing an armed suspect. And Monday night, Sergeant Timothy Simpson was killed in a crash. NBC10 Reporter Doug Shimell has reaction from the families of other fallen officers.
Eric Floyd and Levon Warner could face the death penalty after being found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in the case of the shooting death of Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski.
The jury's decision was announced Wednesday afternoon.
The verdict on the first-degree murder charges as well as various other charges against Floyd and Warner could mean the death penalty.
Investigators say Liczbinski was pursuing Floyd, Warner and a third man, Howard Cain, following a May 2008 bank robbery in Port Richmond. When the suspects couldn't shake Liczbinski, authorities say they stopped and Cain fired on Liczbinski, killing him. Cain later died in a shootout with police.
Warner was the accused getaway driver and Floyd was charged with handing the weapon used to kill the officer to Cain, according to the district attorney's office.
Liczbinski's family didn't speak after the verdicts were read but Philly's leaders did.
"I look forward to the day when those two gentleman once again hook up with Howard Cain in hell," said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
"At this time, our focus is on Sgt. Steve Liczbinski and his wife and family," said Mayor Michael Nutter. "Nothing that has happened today can take away the pain and anguish all of us have felt since May 3, 2008 when Steve was assassinated."
"My prayers and thoughts are with Steve’s wife, Michelle, and their children Matt, Stephen and Amber and their families. We’ve lost a hero and a good man who for 12 years served the public with honor, bravery and fidelity."
The sentencing phase of the trial will begin Monday morning. A jury will decide between life in prison or lethal injection for both Floyd and Warner.
