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May 16, 2008 5:39 am US/Eastern
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Suspects Ordered To Stand Trial In Officer's Death
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A judge has ruled there is enough evidence for two suspects in the death of a Philadelphia Police officer to head to trial.
One of two suspects in the slaying of a Philadelphia Police officer offered an apology during a preliminary hearing appearance Thursday.
The family of Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski was present as witnesses described the deadly shooting involving suspects Eric Floyd and Levon Warner following a bank robbery on May 3.
Dixie Widing offered her emotional testimony, saying she was planting flowers when she saw a suspect from a Jeep turn and fire on Sgt. Liczbinski, fatally striking him in the chest.
The shooter, Howard Cain, was fatally shot in a second confrontation with police a short time later.
An alleged confession from Warner said in part, "Zahir (Cain) said 'Give me the gun.' That's when Zahir got out and started shooting."
Widing stated she later heard the mortally wounded officers say, "Tell my wife and kids I love them."
Cain's uncle, Mitchell Cain, may be offered a plea bargain after admitting to his role in a carjacking the day before the robbery. Authorities said Mitchell Cain was originally set to take park in the bank heist, but got cold feet.
Several accomplices, including Floyd's apparent girlfriend, were in court Wednesday to face charges of hindering prosecution.
Floyd offered an apology in court that read in part:
"I want to say what happened…it wasn't something that was intended. I was horrified. I was to say, 'I'm sorry.'"
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