No verdict in drug squad corruption case; jury back Monday
A federal jury has broken for the weekend without reaching a verdict in a racketeering case involving six former Philadelphia narcotics officers.
They’ll return Monday for a third day of deliberations.
The Philadelphia Police Department veterans are accused of stealing $400,000 during rogue drug raids. Federal prosecutors say they also planted evidence, lied in court and roughed people up.
The defense attacks the government witnesses as drug dealers, liars and a colleague, former officer Jeffrey Walker, who is cooperating after being caught in an FBI sting.
Lead defendant Thomas Liciardello has been in custody since last summer’s indictment. The other five defendants are free on bail.
They have presented a joint defense and had several police supervisors testify on their behalf.
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