Phila. police killer may face execution

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The admitted killer of a Philadelphia police officer acted intentionally, a jury said Thursday, finding him guilty of first-degree murder.

John "Jordan" Lewis faces either execution by lethal injection or life with no parole, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Jurors were to begin hearing testimony on the penalty Friday.

In a surprise move, Lewis pleaded guilty last week to killing Harold Cassidy in 2007 when the veteran police officer interrupted a robbery at a Dunkin Donuts. Because there was no negotiated plea agreement, the death penalty remained on the table and jurors still had to decide whether Lewis acted with deliberate intent.

In the most dramatic moment in the trial, Lewis called out, "I apologize, Mrs. Cassidy," as Judy Cassidy testified about her husband Wednesday. She left the courtroom weeping, while Lewis, also in tears, was escorted to a holding cell.

During closing arguments, Lewis' lawyer asked jurors for a verdict of second-degree murder. He said videotape of the shooting shows Lewis panicking when Cassidy walked into the donut shop.

Assistant District Attorney Edward Cameron used the same videotape, saying it shows Lewis had more time than a batter has to decide whether to swing at a pitch in baseball.