CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- The trial of a man charged with shooting a police officer in West Philadelphia at point-blank range two years ago got underway Thursday in a Center City courtroom.
Both the prosecution and defense gave opening statements this morning.
The trial for 32-Year-old Edward Archer opened today with statements from both the prosecution and the defense.
But even before that, as each charge was read, Archer - rather than entering a plea of guilty or not guilty - replied, "I don't plead to anyone but Allah."
Judge Leon Tucker then entered a plea of not guilty.
The prosecution said during the trial, jurors will see video, physical evidence, and hear from witnesses about the night of January 7, 2016.
Officials said Edward Archer, the suspect in custody, was charged with attempted murder and held without bail Saturday in connection with the shooting of a Philadelphia police officer.
Officer Jesse Hartnett was shot 3 times while sitting in his patrol car at 60th and Spruce in West Philadelphia.
His left arm was shattered by gunfire, leaving him unable to work as a police officer. Prosecutors say he has had 11 surgeries.
Police said video from the intersection shows Archer approaching the cruiser, charging the driver and firing 13 times. Prosecutors detailed how Hartnett kicked the door of his vehicle open and chased after Archer, firing 7 shots, one of which hit Archer in buttocks. Responding officers then arrested him nearby.
Authorities say Archer would later confess to the shooting, saying he did it in the name of Islam.
The defense, in its opening statement, hailed Officer Hartnett as a hero but asked jurors to put aside sympathy and emotion and focus on the law.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross was in the courtroom for the start of the trial.
"This is a major trial," Ross told Action News outside the courthouse, "and as was stated inside, the attempted assassination of a Philadelphia Police officer just two days after I was sworn in. So obviously I will never forget it."
Homicide Detective Thurston Lucke took the stand after opening statements. Officer Hartnett is expected to take the stand at some point.
The judge said he expects the trial to last for about two weeks.
#1: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#0)
What happened to the right to a speedy trial?
This is nothing more than delaying justice and the consequences for major crimes.
The courts are a disgrace. They stall, stall, stall. The Supremes are among the worst about it.
There is almost no reason why any defendant in America needs more than six months before a trial begins. The vast vast majority should go to trial in 1-3 months.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-01-31 09:10:36 Reply Private Reply
#2: Pinguinite To: Tooconservative (#1)
The accused could have waived his right to it, though given he entered no plea, he probably didn't. Deprivation of a speedy trial can be grounds for dismissal of charges.
Pinguinite posted on 2018-01-31 09:39:00 Reply Private Reply
#3: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#1)
Yea, what did happen here?
It would be a good idea to find out if there were legitimate reasons for the delay before all the condemnation.
Ya think ...
Gatlin posted on 2018-01-31 09:49:02 Reply Private Reply
#4: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#3)
The cop did mange to get 7 shots off but only hit him once in the ass. No reason why he couldn't have gone to trial in 3 months. This was a 2-year vacation at the county jail instead of serving most of that time in a state penitentiary.
I have to wonder if Muslim defendants make the courts delay more out of fear some sandmonkey group will bitch that they're being unfair to Achmed. Would it have taken 2 years for this to go to trial if the perp had been white? Or black? I don't think so.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-01-31 09:58:52 Reply Private Reply
#5: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#1)
There are good reasons lengthy delays....I can think of 5 legitimate ones right off hand.
SCOTUS has stated that a delay up to 20 months is fine.
This one took 24 months....so, no big dea herel.
By golly, you are beginning to sound more like Deckard all the time with your shoot-from-the-hip condemnations.
Gatlin posted on 2018-01-31 09:59:30 Reply Private Reply
#6: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#5)
SCOTUS is the problem. I said as much above.
Why wait just two years? Why not five years?
You're a dumbass.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-01-31 10:01:56 Reply Private Reply
#7: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#4)
You have no idea why there was a delay and if the delay was legiit.
But you do have condemnations for something you knopw nothing about.
Sad ...
Gatlin posted on 2018-01-31 10:03:38 Reply Private Reply
#8: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#6)
And you are an ignorant judgmental “I-am-always-right” shithead.
Now that we have the name-callings out of the way and since you proclaim yourself to be the master researcher....perhaps we can learn why there was a delay and IF it was legit before continuing to go off half-cocked.
Gatlin posted on 2018-01-31 10:08:59 Reply Private Reply
#9: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#8)
When did I ever claim this? I've never said that. Prove it.
You're befuddled and just making things up.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-01-31 10:30:20 Reply Private Reply
#10: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#9)
You are not a master researcher ...
Gatlin posted on 2018-01-31 13:29:16 Reply Private Reply
#11: Hondo68 To: Gatlin (#10)
Yukon, or Lady Lindsey Graham?
Hondo68 posted on 2018-01-31 13:34:59 Reply Private Reply
#12: Tooconservative To: Gatlin (#10)
I never claimed it because I know quite well that I am not.
Tooconservative posted on 2018-01-31 13:37:00 Reply Private Reply
#13: Gatlin To: Tooconservative (#12)
... and your modesty is only exceeded by your truthfulness.
Gatlin posted on 2018-01-31 15:49:47 Reply Private Reply