3:00 p.m.
Both sides have finished calling witnesses in a police corruption trial centered on an elite undercover drug squad in Philadelphia.
The Justice Department has decided not to call any rebuttal witnesses after the defense rested Monday.
The jury has heard from only one of the six former narcotics officers on trial.
Ex-officer Michael Spicer denied Monday that the squad regularly stole money and drugs from suspects and lied about it in court.
The defense hopes his testimony will carry the day for all six defendants.
The government’s case is built on the testimony of drug dealers and one ex-officer who pleaded guilty.
Closing arguments are set for Tuesday morning.
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2:30 p.m.
The lead defendant in a Philadelphia police corruption case has told a judge he won’t testify as the defense prepares to rest.
Thomas Liciardello (litch-uhr-DEL’-o) is accused of leading the way as the squad stole more than $400,000 from drug dealers from 2006 to 2012.
Federal prosecutors say the squad also used excessive force, planted evidence, lied on search warrants and committed perjury to win convictions.
The case is largely built on the testimony of a rogue colleague convicted of stealing drug money and planting evidence in an FBI sting.
Defendant Michael Spicer is the only accused officer to take the stand to deny the charges.
Co-defendants Brian Reynolds, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman and John Speiser are also declining to testify.
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2 p.m.
A former Philadelphia police officer on trial with five colleagues in a drug squad corruption case has denied robbing or threatening drug suspects or lying on police paperwork.
Federal prosecutors on Monday grilled Michael Spicer, the only defendant taking the stand in the joint defense effort. Spicer remained calm and cool as he reviewed a string of undercover cases in which the squad is accused of robbing drug dealers of more than $400,000.
But Spicer acknowledged that he was not present for many of the episodes described in court by more than a dozen drug dealers and could not dispute them.
Police supervisors not charged in the case have defended the accused officers and attacked the government’s star witness - a former squad member caught in an FBI sting.
The ex-officer, Jeffrey Walker, has admitted planting evidence, stealing drug money and lying in court throughout his years on the squad. He hopes his testimony against his longtime colleagues will help him avoid a life sentence.
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12 p.m.
A former drug officer on trial along with five colleagues is being cross-examined by federal prosecutors in a sweeping racketeering case.
Michael Spicer is the only defendant expected to testify about a string of cases in which the squad is accused of robbing or framing drug dealers.
Federal authorities say they also lied on search warrants and in court to win convictions.
Several police supervisors not charged in the case have defended the accused officers.
They have also attacked the government’s star witness - a former squad member caught in an FBI sting.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen McCartney on Monday has been asking Spicer about police reports that contain errors or omit information.
Spicer says they kept the reports spare to protect confidential informants.
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