Nov 25, 2009 12:06 am US/Eastern
Jury Sentences Officer Cassidy's Killer To Death
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A convicted Philadelphia cop killer has been sentenced to death.
John Lewis, 23, will die on Pennsylvania's death row for the killing of Officer Chuck Cassidy on Halloween day 2007. Lewis pled guilty to shooting Cassidy when the officer interrupted an armed robbery at a Dunkin' Donuts on North Broad Street.
Lewis spoke in the courtroom after hearing his sentence.
"There's nothing I can say, nothing I can do to make anybody feel any better," he said. "I take this sentence with honor for Chuck, my family and the choices I've made ... I apologize deeply."
The jury found Lewis guilty of first degree murder last Thursday, a conviction that comes with a sentence of either life in prison without parole or death.
In his closing argument, Assistant District Attorney Edward Cameron told the jury that death was the appropriate sentence.
"He [John Lewis] puts the value of money ahead of the value of human life," Cameron said. "He's not sorry because he went trick or treating [the night of the crime] with his uncle in South Philly."
"There comes a point in time in every man's life, when he has to sit down to a meal of his own consequences."
Defense Attorney Bernard Siegel told the members of the jury they need not impose the death penalty. Either way, he said, Lewis will die in prison.
"When a person stands there and says 'I want to go away for the rest of my life,' do you have to execute him also to establish society's rights? ... Is it necessary to kill him?" Siegel said.
"You're not being asked to choose between being lenient and being tough. There's nothing lenient about life in prison without the possibility of parole," he said.
Officer Cassidy's widow issued a brief statement following the sentence.
"There are no winners today. It doesn't make us feel any better. We're glad this is over, but we go home now and still deal with this," Officer Cassidy's widow Judy said.
Lewis will be transferred to a maximum security state prison near State College. His lawyers say they will appeal the decision.
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