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Defense: Confessed cop killer couldn't form intent

The defense attorney for a man who fatally shot a Philadelphia police officer two years ago says his client didn't have enough time to form the intent necessary to convict him of first-degree murder.
/ Source: PhillyBurbs.com

The defense attorney for a man who fatally shot a Philadelphia police officer two years ago says his client didn't have enough time to form the intent necessary to convict him of first-degree murder.Attorney Michael Coard says 23-year-old John Lewis panicked and fired when Officer Chuck Cassidy walked in on a doughnut shop robbery on Halloween 2007. Cassidy was hit in the head and died a day later.Lewis pleaded guilty last week to a general charge of murder. A jury must decide if he's guilty of first- or second-degree murder.If convicted of first-degree murder, Lewis would face either life in prison without parole or the death penalty.In closing statements Thursday, Coard said there was not enough time for the shooting to be deliberate and premeditated.Prosecutors are set to give closing arguments later Thursday.