Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Jury At Impasse In Narco Cops Trial

By George Anastasia
For Bigtrial.net

Jury deliberations have apparently hit a snag in the corruption trial of six former Philadelphia narcotics officers.

The panel of six women and six men sent a message to Judge Eduardo Robreno late this afternoon indicating there was "an impasse." The note, delivered shortly before 3 p.m. read, "If we are at an impasse on one or more of the counts, what is the direction of the court?"

The jury is weighing the evidence and testimony introduced to support a 24-count indictment. There was no indication on which counts the jury may be stalled. The question would seem to imply that the jury has reached consensus on some of the charges, but there is no way to determine whether they have voted to convict or acquit.

"It's like reading tea leaves," said one member of the defense camp before the judge responded to the jury question.

Family members and friends of the six defendants have sprawled across the 15th floor hallway outside Robreno's courtroom during the deliberation process. The panel got the case late Thursday afternoon after hearing nearly six weeks of testimony and closing arguments. Today marked the third full day of deliberations.

Robreno told the jurors to keep on deliberating.

"Although it might seem like eternity, it's only been three and one-half days," the judge said. "It's a complex case . . . We urge you to continue to deliberate."

He then read a small portion of the charge he had given the jurors before they began deliberations on Thursday, telling them to "keep an on mind and listen to what your fellow jurors have to say," but cautioning them against a rush to judgment simply to end the case.

"Your vote must be exactly that, your vote," he said.

The six members of the Philadelphia Police Department Narcotics Field Unit are charged with stealing more than $500,000 in cash, drugs and other valuables from drug dealers and then falsifying police reports to cover their crimes.

The alleged conspiracy ran from 2006 to 2012.

One former member of the unit, Jeffrey Walker, testified for the prosecution along with a dozen admitted drug dealers, many of whom have filed civil suits against the city for what they alleged were actions that denied them their constitutional rights.

The defense called more than a dozen police officers and police supervisors who refuted the bulk of the prosecution testimony. Many defense witnesses praised the work of the six defendants, calling them heroes and the front line in the war on drugs.

Only one defendant, Michael Spicer, testified but his testimony was seen as a defense for all six of those charged. The other defendants are Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman and John Speiser.

The principal charge in the case -- count one -- is a racketeering conspiracy count that encompasses all the alleged criminal acts committed by the defendants. The other charges focus on specific acts involving threats, use of force and the doctoring of evidence and police reports.

Jury deliberations are set to resume tomorrow at 9 a.m. Most observers believe tomorrow will be the day in which the jury overcomes the logjam it is now facing or announces that it is deadlocked. The announcement of a partial verdict on the counts that have already been decided is also possible.

George Anastasia can be reached at George@bigtrial.net.

72 comments

  1. Where in this trial did they prove that evidence and police reports were doctored with. They did talk about force used to arrest the criminals in the act. When is.nt force used during arrest especially when placing handcuffs or someone running. The only rights violated here is the 6 defendents who are now involved in a politics as trial is being watched across the nation. And these Jurors are now under a microscope. Still Praying for a Not Guilty for all 6

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    1. I agree, and also still praying for a Not Guilty across the board tomorrow. That these men can move on from this and start to rebuild their lives. Tomorrow Fellas ! Not Guilty!

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    2. I hope your praying to a different god JB. The real god knows what really happened on all these occasions and if Karma or justice actually exist they will be found guilty. At least one witness is telling the truth then these 6 broke the law and deserve to be punished. That's justice. We will see soon, the longer the deliberations go, the less likely they will be found not guilty. Guilty as charged! Ring em up!

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    3. Too bad the jurors are not given info on the National Registry of Exonerations which now stands at 1,597 people wrongly accused before they are able to sit on a jury. It may make them feel differently about believing the federal prosecutors. Remember the prosecutors too have something to gain. Google National Registry of Exonerations.

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    4. 3.39 am
      Theres only one God i know he.s not Reborn again he.s not muslim what ever that is today it changes by the minute. He.s Catholic and we will all be Judged by him. I know where im going and it is.nt heaven. I can deal with that but can you sorry souls say the same . NOT GUILTY! !!!!""""!!

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    5. Anonymous:
      Shame on you for the constant comments for wanting these 6 men to be found guilty. Are you not breaking the commandment "thou shalt not bear false witness against his neighbor"? You will surely need to answer for that someday. The wives and the children of these men are suffering enough. Stop judging these men without know all of the facts. I offer one mode of thought. "When the feds want to bring down the mafia in a RICO trial, it's always the wiretaps that do the defense in. Where are the wiretaps? Why are there no wiretaps?" I seriously question the motives of this department of justice and the leadership therein.Instead of wanting unjustified revenge in the name of these men, I suggest that you pray for them instead. It may seem to be a tougher road to follow but I'm confident that you'll be satisfied with the fruits of your prayer. I say this as someone who does not know you but loves you anyway, regardless of race, religion, etc..

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    6. Anonymous:
      Shame on you for the constant comments for wanting these 6 men to be found guilty. Are you not breaking the commandment "thou shalt not bear false witness against his neighbor"? You will surely need to answer for that someday. The wives and the children of these men are suffering enough. Stop judging these men without know all of the facts. I offer one mode of thought. "When the feds want to bring down the mafia in a RICO trial, it's always the wiretaps that do the defense in. Where are the wiretaps? Why are there no wiretaps?" I seriously question the motives of this department of justice and the leadership therein.Instead of wanting unjustified revenge in the name of these men, I suggest that you pray for them instead. It may seem to be a tougher road to follow but I'm confident that you'll be satisfied with the fruits of your prayer. I say this as someone who does not know you but loves you anyway, regardless of race, religion, etc..

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    7. Mr Goodwim really your so sincere get lost you lying piece of shit duplicated again.

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  2. I still don't see where the proof was that they did anything wrong!!

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    1. No physical evidence in this case, none at all.

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    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    3. we get it buddy, just go away would ya. even the pro guilty people are tired of reading your comments.

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    4. 11:17.....has pictures of tommy in his room, the one in his moms house.......

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  3. Keep praying cause they are gonna be found guilty you might not wanna believe it but you know what the verdict is gonna be.

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  4. I don't see how Liciardello and Reynolds walk..the others possibly might. My guess is next Tuesday afternoon they will come back with a partial verdict. Most counts not guilty, some guilty and a few hung.

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    1. You are just stupid

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    2. What about Lt. Largo and Sergeant Bottles they will be next ,Little Tommy will give them up .

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    3. 11;00 you are just beyond stupid

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  5. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely."

    Matthew 5:11

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    1. Stop it the only thing that is false , is Little Tommy being innocent .

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    2. you only hope tommy ends up in jail so you can see him when youre in. Guess what~ hes not going to let you sit at that lunch table either. booooo whoooooo i just wanted to be friends with tommy. Beat it

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    3. how many girlfriends did Liciardello steal from you in hs?

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  6. Mr., Bubba is praying for little Tommy . When Mr. Bubba get done with little Tommy, He will be call Bubba Jr .

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    1. this guy and his "little tommy mr bubba lt.largo sgt. bottle" comments a grown man from his moms basement are more f'ing annoying and pathetic then trying to read the junkies and the dealers 6th grade education english.
      we get it, tommy wouldnt let you be his friend. GET OVER IT.
      your poor moms not going to be able to figure out why youve locked your self in your room when she calls you for meatloaf dinner tomorrow night. gonna be a sad sad day for you to read the words NOT GUILTY you annoying pathetic mother fucker.

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    2. 10;57, cries him self to sleep at night knowing he will never be half the cop tommy is. you poor thing

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    3. ……………………………………………………………
      Morning


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    4. Do they always eat meatloaf?? I have seen someone saying this a few times..lmao

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  7. Wishing the Boys well again and Praying for a Not Guilty. No matter what the Jury decides ill respect it. Don.t know if you flunkie cops and drug dealers rooting for a guilty verdict will .You all know the consequences with a Not Guilty verdict you thought your lives were shit then.When these boys get found Not Guilty your days of talking shit will turn in to shitting yourselves knowing your lives on the street won.t be worth a fiddelers fuck. The dealers who snitched on there own will get street Justice and those flunkie cops who turned on there own will be considered out cast. At least thats truth fully how i see it. God Bless these 6 and there familys through these trying times. I can.t even begin to imagine what you are going through.

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    1. It's been a long journey JB! Let's hope today's the day these men get to go home for good!! These 6 as well as their families deserve this today after all that they have been through.
      Not Guilty Boys! Headed your way today!

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  8. Hopefully today is the day the guilty verdict comes in so these crooked cops can get what they have coming to them.

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  9. I believe today is the day for the verdict. The 6 cops during the whole trial were true gentleman. My opinion some are getting convicted. Some counts will be found NOT guilty n hung on a few. Reading this blog it is ashame so much jealousy n hatred is in the police dept btw fellow men in blue. The drug dealers and walker are scum. A few of the cops will be leaving their home and family today for a long time today. That is very scary and ashame. Any man will be scared to what these man face if convict. A long prison sentence far away from philly n being a cop in jail.

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  10. A BEAUTIFUL MORNING FOR A NOT GUILTY VERDICT!
    Sending many of prayers to you and your families this morning that today be the day you get to move on with your lives and put this behind you. The city of Phila. Needed your squad to keep the trash off the streets. This city shamed these men BEFORE their verdict when they knew who the whiteness in this case were, when they knew how long the investigation went on yet they had no evidence of any wrong doing. It is in excusable. Ramsey as well as Nutter should hold the same press conference they did ten months ago but this time to apologize. I hope these men get the justice they deserve. Let today be the day!!

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    1. No! We have trash men to keep clean our trash up on the streets of phila. Criminals, drug dealer or so, still have rights! M.T.
      are you willing to violate some ones rights just to make an arrest if you were a Philadelphia Police officer? We don't pay taxes to our city, state and Federal gov. for our law enforcement to break the very law they are sworn to uphold and protect! I would hope these ex police officer are not found guilty, but if any of them are, it will be the outcome of the truth and sad.

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    2. I, for one, do not give two shits about the rights of someone breaking the law. You don't want your rights "violated" don't break the law. Simple as that!!! Stop blaming cops and take responsibility for your actions. It isn't rocket science.

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    3. Anon. 12:34 pm Your not M.T. That question i posed to them. Sorry.

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    4. 8:47, tough question- they still have rights like everyone else even though they don't think they have to follow laws and rules like everyone else ? I am not a police officer and I would not be willing to violate someone rights just to "make an arrest" how ever if I was a police officer and I was locking up the kind of animals that these 6 men encountered day in and day out who thought they were above the law and above law enforcement would the first thing I think of when arresting them is their rights as a citizen ? No probably not. If they didn't want to live a life as a law abiding citizen why should they get the same rights? ( just my opinion) you're correct we don't pay taxes for officers to break the laws they are sworn to up hold ( I don't believe these 6 men broke any laws, have you seen any actual proof of that during this trial other then he said she said? You may not agree with their tactics while dealing with these animals but clearly they worked for all of the jobs these men did and until you're in the situation I think it would be hard to say how you would do it )
      And just on a side note do you actually think ANY of the witnesses on the witness stand pay taxes ???

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    5. No M.T, i do not think any of the criminals who are witnesses pay taxes or ever have. And i do not see any significant evidence that has been presented that could convict these officers. Last but not least, thank you for your honest opinion.

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    6. No problem, you're welcome.

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  11. I bet barebackin tommy gets the swizzle my nizzle. Dim 6 farts gotta long long Longggggg plank to walk with this here judge poking thee ole sword at em. Hehehehhehee.
    Blow thee horn for big ben these ex dirtbag narcs time has come and Goooooneeeee. The maggots are hungry child for them there rotton and crooked cop flesh. Send them allll to the monterous valleys of dammmed souls for pete sake and Pete is a Cat-HO-LiC i do damsel eye in distress these narcs are i believe hheHehheHe

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    1. Typical ---ga and you wonder why your rights were violated and Society hates scum like you. They should.ve cracked that egg plant you call a head then you would.ve had something to cry about my ---ga

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    2. I can come to ya crib hooker. You like darky.

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    3. Im not buying the guy talking jibberish is black. And if you are brother. Stop causing all this racist hatred. Your just creating anger on this blog. Im black myself and if you are black you def sound stupid(hate to say that.)

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    4. 12:08 <--- And that my friends is what happens when you have a 6th grade education, your mama doesn't know who your dad is, your grandmother raises you and you chose a life on the streets. Waa Laa

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  12. Keep praying and sending positive vibes, hoping for a Not guilty Verdict today

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  13. Replies
    1. Anonymous12:13pm, I thought the same thing. Can't understand a word they are typing, damn idiots

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    2. Wat? You eatn dark meat too hehehe

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  14. Hey guys. Are they allowing regular people into the court room during this deliberation? Not sure how the process goes?

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  15. yes you are allowed in or you can sit outside 15A which a lot of people are already doing and wait for the judge to come out and say they reached a verdict then go in the room to hear the outcome

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    1. Okay thanks. We just flew in from Boston and are vacation. We will check it out.

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  16. Anonymous:
    Shame on you for the constant comments for wanting these 6 men to be found guilty. Are you not breaking the commandment "thou shalt not bear false witness against his neighbor"? You will surely need to answer for that someday. The wives and the children of these men are suffering enough. Stop judging these men without know all of the facts. I offer one mode of thought. "When the feds want to bring down the mafia in a RICO trial, it's always the wiretaps that do the defense in. Where are the wiretaps? Why are there no wiretaps?" I seriously question the motives of this department of justice and the leadership therein.Instead of wanting unjustified revenge in the name of these men, I suggest that you pray for them instead. It may seem to be a tougher road to follow but I'm confident that you'll be satisfied with the fruits of your prayer. I say this as someone who does not know you but loves you anyway, regardless of race, religion, etc..

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  17. Using RICO is like adding more bags of sugar and cream on the still hot coffee. If you have confidence in your case, you shouldn't need the RICO statutes. To take a hollow case with no evidence and to inject it with the steroid qualities of RICO in an effort to boost your case with credible evidence is not the way to go.

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    1. You think this stuff up all by yourself?

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  18. any verdict yet ?

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    1. Heard nothing yet. Maybe tomarrow?

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    2. stuck. hung jury.

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  19. is it a hung jury?

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  20. Still deliberating.

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  21. ..back at it tomorrow...Here we go again, keep the prayers going !!! These men deserve for this to be OVER!

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  22. yes they do for this to be over for both them and their families, its a long time coming

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  23. Gonna be guilty cant wait

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  24. They will be both
    not guilty and guilty verdicts handed down.

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  25. I can't take one more day!! Not guilty !!

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  26. a littie birdie told me NOT GUILTY.

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  27. You can keep wishing cause there is no chance for not guilty. They are crooked an belong in jail.

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  28. Jury sent home for the day. Back in morn.

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  29. NOT GUILTY NOT GUILTY NOT GUILTY
    NOT GUILTY NOT GUILTY NOT GUILTY ALL SIX YOU PIECE OF SHIT HATERS AND FLUNKIE COPS AND DEALERS LOOKING FOR A GUILTY VERDICT.
    WERE STILL PRAYING BOYS HANG IN THERE.

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  30. Keep on prayin cause it aint gonna happen there guilty, hope they get 20+ years , there are good cops and there are bad these are the bad and there getting exposed for it, if they werent guilty jury would have had verdict more than likely already its goin on 5 an a half days guilty guilty guilty..

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  31. VERDICT IS IN!!! LETS GO!!! NOT GUILTY!! Should know with in the hour. Pray for these men, they deserve justice today!

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