US judge OKs bail in Philly police indictment
A U.S. trial judge has upheld a decision to grant house arrest to a Philadelphia police officer charged with robbing drug suspects.
The decision is a setback for prosecutors who want all six indicted drug squad officers in custody until trial.
They say they fear that witnesses will be threatened, and appealed lower-court decisions that granted four of them bail.
The indictment last week accuses the officers of beating suspected dealers and stealing more than $500,000 in cash and cocaine from them.
In the first appeal heard Thursday, U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno granted house arrest to officer Brian Reynolds.
Robreno says Reynolds has been suspended and can’t repeat his alleged crimes.
Accused ringleader Thomas Liciardello and a second officer are being held without bail.
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