(Health-NewsWire.Net, August 17, 2015 ) Philadelphia, PA -- According to Philadelphia News a judge overturned 158 drug-related convictions in cases which are related to any of the six Philadelphia Police District ex-narcotics cops who are now facing charges for federal corruption.
The District Attorney's Office came to an agreement to have the 157 convictions tied to any of the six police officers dismissed.
The overturning of the 158 drug-related convictions overturned by Common Pleas President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper marked the highest number of convictions overturned in one day in Philadelphia's history in relation with the six officers or any other officers who were alleged to be tainted.
The six ex-narcotics cops who are being faced with a federal corruption trial this year includes Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman and John Speise. The six were acquitted in May and were federally indicted last year upon being accused of robbing drug dealers for cash, drugs, and/or personal items.
Despite the charges, the six were able to win their jobs back on July 10th, due to an arbitrator's ruling allowing each to be awarded a year's worth of back pay, however none of the officers were allowed to work in the narcotics sector. But according to the Daily News, Betts recently tested positive for marijuana and will be fired again.
There have now been 559 drug-related convictions overturned in state court due to one of the six officers being significantly involved in the arrests of the defendants or due to the involvement of former elite Narcotics Field Unit Squad member Jeffrey Walker in the arrests. Exactly 392 convictions have now been overturned due to the involvement of one of the six officers in the arrests and 167 convictions had been overturned previously due to the involvement of Walker in the arrests.
Walker has since been sentenced to 3 ˝ years in federal prison, his sentence was based on an FBI sting in May 2013 in which he was caught stealing $15,000 from a drug dealer's house. walker pleaded guilty last year to one count each of attempted robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. After his arrest, Walker began cooperating with the feds and testified against his six former colleagues at their trial.
An associate from Drug Rehab Philadelphia comments "It's very unfortunate that we have tainted narcotics officers in a city that's working so hard to fight against the issue of drug distribution and abuse. I am hopeful that the police will be able to identify all the crooked cops who aren't doing their job of working to keep drugs off of the streets or making drug busts for their own good so they can pocket the money they recover and maybe even resell the drugs they recover. I'm uncertain if all of those convictions should have been overturned because at the end of the day some of those who were convicted may actually be keeping drugs on our streets."
Drug Rehab Philadelphia is a leading drug rehab in Philadelphia, PA which provides comprehensive addiction and recovery services to substance abusers and addicts alike. The luxury rehab center is medically monitored 24/7 and assure its patients a safe and effective recovery from a substance use problem.
To learn more about the comprehensive treatment services available at Drug Rehab Philadelphia, visit their website at http://drugrehabphiladelphia.net/ or call the number directly at (267) 351-8139.
About Drug Rehab Philadelphia: Drug Rehab Philadelphia is a Philadelphia-based drug rehab dedicated to providing the highest quality of service and treatment at an affordable price.
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