Death for killing Philly police officer

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A jury in Philadelphia deliberated for less than an hour Tuesday before agreeing on a death sentence for a young man who admitted killing a police officer.

John "Jordan" Lewis, 23, stood without showing any emotion when he heard the sentence, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. His mother, a corrections officer, cried as she sat behind him.

Previously this month, Lewis entered a surprise guilty plea to the killing of police officer Chuck Cassidy, 54, who walked in on a holdup at a Dunkin Donuts.

That left the jury to decide whether he was guilty of intentional murder and, if they decided he was, whether he should receive the death sentence.

Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Mineheart immediately began a 15-minute formal sentencing hearing.

Judy Cassidy, the officer's widow, said she refers to Lewis as "the (expletive)" when she mentions him at home.

"The only reason we are here today is because of your actions.," she said. "You're the one. You brought your family here, and you are the one who brought my family here."

Lewis made a composed statement, saying he knows no one believes him when he expresses his remorse for the killing.