Grand Jury indicts accused Delaware cop killer
David Salasky could face the death penalty if convicted of killing a New Castle County police officer.
On Monday, the New Castle County Grand Jury returned a 24-count indictment against David Salasky in the death of New Castle County Police Sergeant Joseph Szczerba. Szczerba was stabbed to death during a foot chase to capture Salasky on September 16.
“My office is conducting its review of this case under our established death penatly review procedures,” said Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. “While that review is ongoing we are treating this as a death penalty case for procedural purposes.”
According to court documents, Szczerba was questioning Salasky outside his patrol car on East Roosevelt Avenue and Fithian Way when Salasky fled. Szczerba chased him down and was stabbed during a violent struggle. Szczerba was able to radio a call for help saying, “I’ve been stabbed.” Other officers arrived at the scene, some continued struggling with the suspect, while others tried to help Szczerba, who had deep wounds to his neck.
Salasky has a criminal history and was on probation at the time of his arrest for a conviction in an arson scam in which he allegedly conspired to have his car set on fire to collect insurance money.
The indictment accuses Salasky of killing Sgt. Szczerba, and injuring other officers, along with other charges listed below.
Murder 1st Degree for the intentional murder of Sgt. Szczerba
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony related to the intentional murder of Sgt. Szczerba
Murder 1st Degree for the felony murder of Sgt. Szczerba, related to the flight after committing Attempted Robbery 1st Degree and/or Burglary 3rd Degree
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony related to the felony murder
Murder 1st Degree for the reckless murder of Sgt. Szczerba, a police officer in the lawful performance of his duties
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony related to the reckless murder charge
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited related to the murder charges
Resisting Arrest related to the attack on Sgt. Szczerba
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony related to the Resisting Arrest
Assault 2nd Degree related to kicking a New Castle County Police Officer in the chest
Assault 2nd Degree related to kicking a New Castle County Police Officer in the legs
Attempted Robbery 1st Degree for the crime against a victim on Finney Drive
Assault 2nd Degree for the cut to the arm of the victim on Finney Drive
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony related to the Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited related to the Attempted Robbery 1st Degree
Burglary 3rd Degree for a vehicle at E. Van Buren Avenue
Theft Under $1,500 for the knife stolen from the vehicle at E. Van Buren Avenue
Burglary 3rd Degree for a vehicle at Tatlow Drive
Theft Under $1,500 for the Bluetooth stolen from the vehicle at Tatlow Drive
Burglary 3rd Degree for a second vehicle at Tatlow Drive
Theft Under $1,500 for the cash taken from the second vehicle at Tatlow Drive
Criminal Mischief Under $1,500 for the slashed tire of the second vehicle at Tatlow Drive
Burglary 3rd Degree for a vehicle at Morrison Avenue
Theft Under $1,500 for the cologne and CDs taken from the vehicle at Morrison Avenue
Sgt. Szczerba was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.