Trial of Two Men Charged with Murder in Police Sergeant's Killing Resumes

Strategic Insights -

After an extended Independence Day holiday weekend break, the trial of two men charged with murder in the 2008 killing of police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski resumed today in a Philadelphia courtroom. The trial, which began on June 29, has already heard from prosecution witnesses about events leading to the May 3, 2008, armed robbery of the Bank of America branch inside a ShopRite market. Today, Assistant District Attorney Jude Conroy is expected to begin presenting witnesses who will tell about the deadly showdown that occurred about 15 minutes after the Saturday morning heist.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eric DeShann Floyd, 35, and Levon T. Warner, 41, are charged with murder in the bank robbery and Liczbinski's killing.
  • The man who actually shot Liczbinski, Howard Cain, was killed by police after the trio split up following Liczbinski's shooting.
  • Liczbinski responded to the 911 call after the bank robbery and spotted the robbers' stolen Jeep Liberty getaway car shortly after it left the ShopRite parking lot.
  • Liczbinski was hit eight times and left dying next to his squad car.
  • Although Cain's shooter is dead, the District Attorney's office will seek the death penalty if Floyd and Warner are convicted of first-degree murder.
  • Conroy told the jury that both men knew of the SKS rifle and of Cain's willingness to use it.
  • Floyd and Warner also both handled the rifle at some point before and after the bank robbery, Conroy said.

Statistics:

  • 8: The number of times Liczbinski was hit by gunfire.
  • 35: The age of Howard Cain, the mastermind behind the bank robbery scheme.
  • 33: The age of Howard Cain, the shooter who was killed by police.
  • $4-6: The estimated weeks it will take to complete the trial.
  • 12: The number of years Liczbinski served as a police officer.
  • 39: The age of police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski at the time of his death.
  • 72: The age of Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Ronald B. Merriweather, who died of cancer on June 24.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 7 (no date given in the original text)
  • staff writer Joseph A. Slobodzian at 215-854-2985 or jslobodzian@phillynews.com
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT)
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT) services@mctinfoservices.com or 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544)