D.A. Charges Off-Duty Officer With Murder

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's District Attorney's office announced murder charges Monday against an off-duty officer involved in a November fatal shooting in Port Richmond.

Officer Frank Tepper is accused of shooting and killing William Panas Jr. during a fight outside Tepper's home.

D.A. Seth Williams said there was enough evidence to charge Tepper without the need for a grand jury investigation.

Tepper claims the shooting, which occurred in front of his Elkhart Street home, was justified because he feared for his life.

Last month, the police department suspended the 43-year-old Tepper -- a 16-year force veteran and member of the department's civil affairs division -- with intent to dismiss.

He's expected to surrender Tuesday.

Panas' grieving father spoke out about the charges Monday.

"Our reactions are overwhelmed. I mean, it's ecstatic," William Panas Sr. said. "We've been waiting for this day for over three months, and we're very happy. It's not gonna bring our boy back, but we're very happy."

Tepper's attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., reacted by saying, "We've said all along that the evidence will show that Mr. Tepper was being attacked and assaulted in front of his home, and then he reacted to that situation the only way he knew how."

The district attorney joined the Fox 29 News at 5 Monday to discuss the charges.

Asked about his predecessor, former D.A. Lynne Abraham, wanting a grand jury investigation and his decision not to go with one, Williams said: "Well, I don't know what she saw. All I can say is I took office Jan. 4, and this case had a priority for me. The public and public confidence is greatly shaken in cases in which police officers are accused of crime. So, we ensured that we had a thorough investigation."

Williams said grand juries are helpful tools and have their place, but he said he felt in this case there was enough evidence – between witnesses and ballistic evidence – to request the issuance of a warrant.

Tepper, when he surrenders, will stand for a preliminary hearing on accounts of murder (a judge will determine whether the count will be in the first- or third-degree), recklessly endangering another person and possessing an instrument of crime.

Williams said, "I want people to know that, no matter who you are, regardless of your status as a victim or the defendant, we're going to apply the same standard of justice to everyone. The public demands that, and I'm going to ensure that that's how this district attorney operates."

The said he D.A. spoke with Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey on Sunday night, who could not attend Monday's news conference due to a prior commitment, and the deputy commissioner was on hand.

Asked for their reaction, Williams said, "They believe it was the right thing to do. They fired him, so they believe that it was the right thing to do in this case. I'll take each case in the future based on those facts. But for this matter, it was the right thing to ensure that Frank Tepper stands trial for the homicide of William Panas Jr."

Williams, who said the city's criminal justice system was broken during his campaign, said Monday, "The public demands justice, and we're going to try to give it to them."