Cassidy Case Jury Won't Hear From Lewis

PHILADELPHIA - The penalty phase has begun in the trial of John "Jordan" Lewis.

On Thursday, the jury found Lewis guilty of first-degree murder. Now the panel must decide whether he should spend the rest of his life in prison or be put to death for killing Philadelphia police Officer Chuck Cassidy.

Lawyers for the 23-year-old told the jury Friday his age and other mitigating factors are reason to spare his life.

Prosecutors, on the other hand, say the evidence and Lewis' criminal history mean the death penalty is appropriate.

Lewis will not be testifying on his own behalf.

The hearing got off to a late start Friday as the jury wasn't brought in until after 11 a.m.

Shortly before noon, the judge was still making his opening round of instructions to the packed, beyond-capacity, third-floor courtroom. The judge was explaining legal terms, like mitigating circumstances, the defense would be using in its arguments.

In the judge's words, the defense would be attempting to make Lewis look less terrible and less deserving of a death penalty.

As jury deliberations go, Thursday's were quick. The panel of 12 needed just two hours and 15 minutes to agree to convict on the most serious charge possible in the case.

The only thing the jurors asked for after three days' of evidence was to see again what only they, the police, the judge, the lawyers and Lewis had ever seen: the death sentence Lewis gave Cassidy in that Dunkin Donuts surveillance camera more than two years ago.

The tape shows Lewis turning around while robbing the cahier to fire a hollow-point bullet into Cassidy's forehead.

It might have been the last image any holdout for first-degree needed to agree with the other 11.

And, after seeing this again, maybe the jury will send the signal to all cop-killers that this deserves the death penalty.

Local Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby said the jury's decision was "a sigh of relief, and we'll hope for the best, and we'll continue on, and we'll be there to support the family today, tomorrow and next week, if it goes into next week."

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said, "The state put on a very, very strong case. The lawyers did an outstanding job and, I mean, it was just very clear. There was never doubt in my mind. Fortunately, there wasn't a doubt in their minds, either."

Police supporter and attorney Jimmy Binns said it was "very, very sad for the Cassidy family, very torturous for them to go through. But they sucked it up and did it, and this is the way it should turn out."

The judge has ordered the lawyers on the case not to talk to the press or the public.

Lewis may not testify, but he already blurted out during the course of the trial, "I apologize, Mrs. Cassidy," as the officer's widow finished her testimony.

The prosecution could put Cassidy's grown children on before the jury, if anyone really needs any more convincing what a good man, a good dad and a real good cop Lewis took from the family and this city, Fox 29's Steve Keeley reported.