Lewis Pleads Guilty In Cassidy¿s Murder

PHILADELPHIA - Moments before his death-penalty trial was set to begin, a Philadelphia man pleaded guilty to killing a police officer two years ago during a robbery.

John Lewis, 23, pleaded guilty to a general charge of murder Thursday morning in the shooting death of 54-year-old Philadelphia police Officer Chuck Cassidy on Oct. 31, 2007.

Jurors will now determine if Lewis is guilty of 1st degree or 2nd degree murder.

"Obviously, it's tough on the family but, fortunately, they won't have to sit through two weeks of this," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said outside the courtroom.

The surprise plea came after four days of jury selection and just before opening statements were to begin. Lewis' family wept as he entered his plea.

Investigators say Lewis shot Cassidy in the head after he walked into a robbery at a doughnut shop, on Broad and 66th Avenue, in North Philadelphia. The father of three died the next day.

Attorneys were meeting with the judge in chambers. It was not immediately clear whether the trial would proceed to the penalty phase or whether a sentence had been negotiated.