Accused cop killer's previous murder charge dropped due to flawed investigation, DA Krasner says

The big story on Action News is the new insight into the criminal history of the accused cop killer, Eric Lewis. Authorities say he ambushed officers early Saturday morning, leaving one dead and another hospitalized. Lewis had a long criminal record and was once the suspect in a deadly road rage shooting. The Action News investigator, Chad Perdelli, live now at police headquarters with a closer look at that case dating back to 2019, Chad. Yeah, as you guys know, Philadelphia police and the district attorney's office have had a contentious relationship at times, especially since Larry Krasner took office but today it went to a new level with Krasner putting out a statement blasting the police department's investigation into the 2019 murder charge against Eric Lewis and his eventual acquittal in 2023 the case in question is the 2019 murder of Christopher Williams in the 900 block of North Falun in West Philadelphia according to sources and the victim's family. Eric Lewis was double parked outside his mother's home when Williams honked. Words were exchanged and Lewis allegedly approached and fired into the vehicle, killing Williams. A passenger who witnessed the shooting survived. The case eventually crumbled and a judge acquitted Lewis on the murder charge in 2023. Some of the conduct involving one police officer and one detective is arguably criminal. Yes, I said criminal. Today, Today, D.A. Larry Krasner blasted the police investigation, calling it troubling and deficient while praising his office. Turns out to have been in a relationship with the sister of this defendant and tried, as a result of being in that relationship, to torpedo his own testimony. Sources say that officer is former 15th District cop Naeem Crawley. They say Crawley went to homicide detectives and named Lewis as a possible suspect. But when it was time to testify, he didn't show up for court and allegedly lied about attending a funeral. But compromising the case didn't end there, according to Krasner. How did he try to do that? By making up a complete lie about how he received anonymous information he didn't about a person named Spice who doesn't exist and that that other person, Spice, was actually the killer. Sources say Crowley was not instrumental to the case. Police had an eyewitness in Williams' car who identified Lewis from photos and recalled vividly his stutter, which Lewis' brother confirmed to Action News yesterday. Why Krasner didn't charge Crowley with a crime nor withdraw charges before trial, if there were concerns, is unclear. The DA isn't taking questions. Attempts to reach Crowley for comment were unsuccessful. Now, just moments ago, Philadelphia police put out a statement. It said that the time right now is the focus on Officer Shane Seaver's family, the funeral, and the recovery of the officer. The statement goes on to say, there will be a time to address the full record, but it's not now. Assigning blame while families are grieving does nothing to advance accountability or support those affected. True leadership does not seek to assign fault in a moment like this. For now, live outside of police headquarters, Chad Perdelli, Channel 6 Action News. As you said, the back and forth has now reached an entirely new level here, Chad. Thank you.