Krasner files motion to reconsider sentence of former Philly cop
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The city's District Attorney's Office says a former Philadelphia police officer, convicted of voluntary manslaughter, received a sentence that is too light. Prosecutors are now appealing, saying Eric Ruch should serve more time.
District Attorney Larry Krasner's office has filed a motion for reconsideration before the trial judge arguing the sentence of Ruch is too short.
The sentence, handed down by Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott earlier this month, is 30 months below that state minimum guideline, according to the DA's Office. Ruch received 11 1/2 to 23 months.
Ruch was convicted in September by a jury on a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the 2017 fatal shooting of Eric Plowden Jr., an unarmed Black man.
It was the first time in decades an on-duty Philadelphia police officer was charged and convicted in connection with killing someone.
The shooting happened after investigators say Plowden was involved in a car crash in East Germantown, following a brief police chase.
It's alleged Plowden had been running from officers who believed the vehicle he was driving had some possible connection to another unsolved homicide.
Plowden was not armed when he was shot, the bullet traveling through his left hand and into his head.
At the time of sentencing, justice reform advocates and members of Plowden's family condemned the length of the sentence.
On Tuesday, Krasner said the sentence by the judge was a "gross downward departure."
"The record we respectfully submit does not support this departure," Krasner said. "Such a departure severely lessens the gravity of this offense for which the defendant was convicted and suggests that a different standard applies to this defendant than other defendants."
A spokesperson for the judicial courts in Philadelphia said they couldn't comment on the case because the matter is still ongoing, given Krasner's filing on the motion.
Legal experts said while sentencing guidelines do exist, judges have wide latitude in the decisions they make.
Krasner said they do have options for further appeals, the next stop would be the Superior Court.
