Eric Lewis, who is accused of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber and wounding his partner, was acquitted of murder in a 2019 case that the district attorney says was compromised by police misconduct. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said an officer allegedly fabricated information and obstructed the earlier prosecution. Lewis now faces 76 charges in connection with the fatal police ambush.
The police department disputed the timing and focus of the criticism, saying accountability should include support for grieving families and scrutiny of the department itself. Court records show that Lewis has prior convictions dating back to 2012.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Background of the earlier murder case |
| 2) | Alleged police misconduct and its impact |
| 3) | Current charges in the officer’s killing |
| 4) | Police response and the fallen officer’s service |
| 5) | Lewis’s criminal record and case context |
Background of the earlier murder case
The earlier case involved Eric Lewis, who was acquitted of murder in Philadelphia in 2019. In a video statement released Tuesday, District Attorney Larry Krasner said the acquittal resulted from serious flaws in the investigation and prosecution rather than a failure by the judge or prosecutors to pursue the case. Krasner said the judge acted properly based on the evidence presented at the time.
According to Krasner, the earlier prosecution was weakened by conduct involving at least one police officer and one detective. He said the problems were significant enough to affect the ability of prosecutors to present a reliable case against Lewis.
Alleged police misconduct and its impact
Krasner said an officer involved in the earlier case was in a relationship with Lewis’s sister and attempted to undermine the officer’s testimony by allegedly inventing an account about an anonymous tip. The tip supposedly identified a person called “Spice” as the actual killer, but Krasner said no such person exists.
The district attorney characterized the alleged conduct as the provision of false information to law enforcement and possible obstruction of justice. He said the judge alerted police internal affairs, and that one officer was fired while another was disciplined. Krasner said he did not have additional information about those personnel actions.
“This is beyond outrageous. This is giving false information to law enforcement.”
Krasner said the misconduct was a central reason Lewis was not in custody before the latest prosecution. His comments assigned responsibility to the flawed investigation while also defending the judge and prosecutors who handled the 2019 case.
Current charges in the officer’s killing
Eric Lewis, 35, is accused of fatally shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Shane Seiber in an ambush and wounding Seiber’s partner. He has been ordered held without bail and faces 76 charges, including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and terroristic threats.
The current case is separate from the 2019 murder prosecution, although Krasner’s statement linked the earlier acquittal to the question of why Lewis was free before the alleged attack. The charges remain allegations, and the latest case will proceed through the criminal court process.
Police response and the fallen officer’s service
The Philadelphia Police Department said that assigning blame while families are grieving does not advance accountability or support those affected. The department said leadership should stand with the families and later subject itself to the same scrutiny expected of others.
Shane Seiber was 40, a father of two and an Air Force veteran who served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 10 years. He is survived by his wife, a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. His partner was wounded in the shooting.
“True leadership does not seek to assign fault in a moment like this. It stands with the families.”
Lewis’s criminal record and case context
Court records indicate that Eric Lewis‘s criminal history began in 2012, when he was convicted of theft and receiving stolen property. In 2013, he was convicted of gun-related offenses and simple assault and received probation.
In 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct involving fighting and was again sentenced to probation. He was later acquitted of murder in 2019. Lewis was employed by the Philadelphia Water Department, according to the reported case information.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis was acquitted of murder in Philadelphia in 2019. |
| 2 | The district attorney says alleged police misconduct undermined that prosecution. |
| 3 | Lewis now faces 76 charges in the alleged ambush of Officer Shane Seiber. |
| 4 | The police department urged attention to grieving families and accountability. |
| 5 | Court records show prior convictions dating to 2012. |
Summary
The dispute over the 2019 acquittal has returned to public focus after Eric Lewis was accused of killing Shane Seiber. District Attorney Larry Krasner says alleged fabrication and other misconduct damaged the earlier case, while the police department says the immediate priority should be the affected families. Lewis remains held without bail as the 76-count case proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eric Lewis?
Eric Lewis is a 35-year-old Philadelphia Water Department employee accused of killing Police Officer Shane Seiber and wounding another officer. He was acquitted of murder in a separate 2019 case.
What misconduct did the district attorney describe?
District Attorney Larry Krasner said an officer allegedly fabricated an anonymous tip identifying a nonexistent person as the real killer and took other steps that undermined the earlier prosecution. He said one officer was fired and another disciplined.
What charges does Lewis face now?
Lewis faces 76 charges, including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and terroristic threats. He has been ordered held without bail.
