Former Philadelphia Cop Ordered To Stand Trial For Gun Threat
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A former Philadelphia police officer has been ordered to stand trial on charges he pulled out his gun and threatened to shoot a West Philadelphia donut shop owner and her daughter during an argument.
The confrontation last month was caught on tape (see previous story), and the victims have testified that off-duty officer Brien Greene entered the store with a friend, thought the owner was talking about him, and threatened them.
"He started cursing at them, and ultimately that person (the defendant) pulled a gun and threatened to shoot them," says Philadelphia prosecutor Meriah Russell, who adds that he threatened to "blow their brains out."
But the witnesses testified (and the tape shows) that Greene's friend pushed his armed hand down and the two men left.
The defense suggests that Greene, who earlier had thrown a trash can at the women, actually pulled the gun in self-defense because the store owner, armed with a small stick, approached him during the argument. The defense says Greene had no intention of firing.
Greene has since been fired by the Philadelphia Police Department over the incident. He remains free on bail.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060.
