Former city police officer to stand trial in killing
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
A Municipal Court judge has ordered a former Philadelphia police officer to stand trial on murder charges. The move came after a single eye witness testified Feb. 18.
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The witness said as a fight was ending near Philadelphia Police Officer Frank Tepper's house in Port Richmond in November, Tepper shot 21-year-old William "Billy" Panas Jr. He has since been dismissed for the police force.
The two men lived near each other in Port Richmond.
The tight-knit community has held rallies – including one around City
Hall- to demand Tepper's arrest.
Tepper has said he acted in self-defense.
He's being held without bail. A hearing in the case is set for March
10th.