Trial Opens in 2008 Murder of Phila. Police Sgt. Liczbinski

by KYW's Tony Hanson

Opening statements got underway today in the trial of two men charged with the murder of Philadelphia police sergeant Stephen Liczbinski on May 3, 2008.

Prosecutor Jude Conroy told the jury the evidence will show that co-defendants Eric Floyd and Levon Warner conspired with triggerman Howard Cain, who was later shot and killed by police, and that all were on the same wavelength: a murder would occur if necessary.

And the prosecution says that when sargeant Stephen Liczbinski gave chase after the bank robbery, Cain killed him.  But Conroy says that Floyd and Warner shared the intent to kill and are therefore guilty of first-degree murder.

Liczbinski's daughter rushed from the courtroom crying and his wife sobbed as Conroy described the fatal shooting, even getting down on the floor of the courtroom to show how Cain stood over the wounded and helpless Liczbinski and shot him repeatedly at close range.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty -- but more specifically, the defense attorneys argue that the defendants are not guilty of first-degree murder, which would take the death penalty off the table.

Warner's attorney argued it was second-degree murder -- which carries an automatic life sentence.

Floyd and Warner are also charged with the robbery of a bank inside a supermarket that preceded the shootout.

At an earlier hearing, a police radio tape was played in which Sgt. Liczbinski (in his patrol car with the call sign "24 Andy") could be heard as he began his final pursuit:

(24 Andy:)  "Southbound on Edgemont."

(Police Radio:)  "All right, got southbound."

(24 Andy:)  "Eastbound on Schiller."

(Police Radio:)  "Eastbound Schiller."

(24 Andy:)  "Still eastbound, coming up on Almond."

(Police Radio:)  "All right, we got 24 Andy in pursuit of a blue Jeep Liberty, george x-ray john 3677, eastbound on Schiller Street at Almond.  (pause) 24 Andy, your location? 24 Andy, your location?"

Liczbinski was gunned down near the corner of Almond and Schiller.  Cain was later shot and killed in a confrontation with police.  Floyd and Warner were later arrested and charged.

Stay tuned to KYW Newsradio 1060 for updates on this trial as it progresses.