Politics & Government

Judge Dismisses Charges Against 2 Former Philadelphia Police Officers Accused Of Assaulting Man With Asperger's Syndrome

Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan Jr. dismissed all charges against the two ex-cops, citing a lack of evidence.

February 23, 2022

A Philadelphia judge dismissed assault and other charges Tuesday against two former city police officers who are brothers, stemming from an off-duty encounter in which they allegedly injured a man they mistakenly thought was breaking into cars.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Prosecutors said James Smith, 53, and Patrick Smith, 54, physically confronted a 27-year-old pedestrian with Asperger’s syndrome in a shopping center parking lot in August 2020, leaving him with multiple injuries. The brothers allegedly lied about being part of a town watch.

Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan Jr. dismissed all charges against the two ex-cops, citing a lack of evidence.

Find out what's happening in Philadelphiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.


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