Embattled Soros-backed DA blames ‘criminal’ police misconduct in accused Philly cop killer’s prior murder case

Eric Lewis, the man accused of killing a Philadelphia police officer in an ambush, was acquitted of murder in 2019 in a case the district attorney says was undermined by police misconduct.

Lewis, 35, is accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and wounding his partner.

He now faces a range of charges, among them murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and other related offenses.

He In a video statement Tuesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Lewis was acquitted in an earlier murder case and blamed police misconduct for the outcome.

"Why this man was out of custody? The answer is this, this man is out of custody because a balanced, good and fair judge did what he had to do because two absolutely excellent prosecutors did everything humanly possible with a case and an investigation that was so deeply flawed.

It was not just full of errors and mistakes, very serious ones, But some of the conduct involving one police officer...

And one detective is arguably criminal.

Yes, I said criminal," Krasner said.

SUSPECT IN DEADLY PHILADELPHIA POLICE AMBUSH FACES 76 CHARGES, ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BAIL Krasner said the police officer involved in the case was in a relationship with the sister of the defendant and tried to "torpedo" his testimony "by making up a complete lie." Krasner said an officer in Lewis’ earlier murder case invented a story that he had received an anonymous tip naming a person called "Spice" as the real killer.

Krasner said no such person exists.

"This is beyond outrageous.

This is giving false information to law enforcement.

It's not the only thing he did to try to get out of participating in the case.

It's obstruction of the administration of justice.