Trial Wrapping Up For 6 Phila. Narcotics Cops Charged With Corruption
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Closing arguments were underway today in the case of six Philadelphia narcotics officers accused of stealing from drug suspects and other crimes.
The prosecution needed several hours to recap the case that relied heavily on the testimony of drug dealers and one former officer, Jeffrey Walker, who has pleaded guilty to stealing $15,000 from a drug suspect and planting evidence. Walker cooperated with authorities in building the case against his former colleagues.
Prosecutors highlighted many alleged cases in which the officers busted drug suspects, then skimmed portions of the thousands in cash they confiscated. Their final words to the jury: we won't tolerate police officers who commit crimes, threaten, and rob suspects, and then lie about it.