A murder warrant was issued Monday against a former Philadelphia police officer accused of fatally shooting a neighbor during an off-duty altercation in November.
Frank Tepper, 43, faces charges of murder and other counts in the shooting of 21-year-old William Panas Jr. in the city's Port Richmond section. Tepper's attorney said that his client acted in self-defense.
Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham announced last year that she was convening a grand jury in the killing. But the city's new top prosecutor said Monday that his office reviewed the case and determined there was enough evidence to issue a warrant.
"The community cries out for justice," said District Attorney Seth Williams, inaugurated last month as the city's first new DA in nearly 20 years. "Our job is to seek justice. But it won't be at the loss of a thorough investigation."
The new District Attorney may be trying to make a name for himself, but Frank Tepper is no stranger to trouble. I'm sure more will come out during the trial.
What's your opinion? Is Tepper the "neighborhood bully" who goes around looking for trouble and when he finds it, pulls his gun? Or, is he a responsible ex-policeman who lives in a tough area of Philadelphia where trouble is everywhere?
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