Rasheed Scrugs pleaded guilty to first-degree murder on Thursday.
Scrugs, 35, is accused of shooting Philadelphia police officer John Pawlowski on February 13, 2009.
Prosecutors say that Scrugs assaulted a cab driver outside of a SEPTA transit station at Broad and Olney. When officers arrived after the cab driver contacted them, Scrugs allegedly opened fire with a gun that was hidden in his pocket.
Officer Pawlowski was struck just above his bulletproof vest.
Opening statements were set to begin on Thursday. After the jury left the courtroom, Scrugs told the judge that he wanted to change his plea to guilty.
Scrugs pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Scrugs also told the judge that he was fully conscious of mind when he committed the crime. His defense had said earlier that he was high on drugs when he shot Pawlowski.
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