Philly Officer Won't Face Charges for Shooting 3 Partygoers

A city police officer will not face criminal charges for firing his gun 11 times into a house full of New Year's revelers -- hitting three people -- while pursuing an armed suspect.
      
One wounded partygoer later died after Officer George Marko shot into the home on Jan. 1, 2008. Marko had been chasing a man who entered the house after allegedly firing celebratory New Year's bullets into the air.
      
The district attorney's office ruled that Marko responded lawfully, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday.
      
But Alan Yatvin, a lawyer representing the dead man's family, said a shooting that endangered so many bystanders ``seems criminal.'' He criticized authorities for taking more than two years -- under two district attorneys -- to probe the shooting.

"The bottom line, I think, is an investigation that takes this long isn't credible,'' Yatvin said.
      
Marko said suspect Dontate Mitchell pointed the gun at him, prompting him to fire into the East Germantown house.

"Given the totality of circumstances ... Marko's actions were justified,'' District Attorney Seth Williams wrote to Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey.
      
Partygoer Abebe Isaac, 33, was shot in the face and died a week later. Mitchell was struck in the elbow, and a 9-year-old boy suffered a graze wound.
      
Mitchell has maintained his innocence. Prosecutors dismissed charges against him because Marko could not testify in court while the district attorney investigated.
      
Marko was cleared on June 1 and remains on desk duty.
      
Civil lawsuits and an internal police investigation are pending.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us