Former city police officer to stand trial in killing

    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.

    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. [audio:100218LFCHARGE.mp3]

    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.

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    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.

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