Man Facing Jail Over '92 Delco Theft After Life Sentence Commuted

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A man whose life sentence was commuted by Gov. Tom Wolf is facing jail time over a nearly 30-year-old shoplifting case in Delaware County, leading to a spat between Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland.

David Sheppard, 54, of Philadelphia, was convicted in connection with the robbery of a Philadelphia pharmacy in 1992 that left the owner shot dead. Sheppard was not the shooter, but was convicted for his role in the incident.

Wolf recently commuted his life sentence, along with several others in Pennsylvania.

However, Sheppard is accused of stealing five pairs of jeans from a now-closed Springfield store back in 1992. He failed to show up for his preliminary hearing and an arrest warrant was issued.

Then he was booked for the robbery and killing.

Copeland said with his warrant still active, Sheppard will be arrested after he is released from prison.

"The issue here is not about a shoplifting charge, it is the complete failure of the criminal justice system to give victims and their families a voice," she said in a statement Friday.

Copeland said her office received calls from Wolf and Fetterman, but said the murder victim's family did not get a call from them to tell them of Sheppard's commutation.

"The family of the victim was never notified that this individual was appearing before the Board of Pardons and seeking to have his sentence commuted," she said. "Victims and their families deserve a role in the process, but in this case, the family was wrongfully denied that opportunity."

Fetterman blasted the DA's decision to pursue the case, calling it a "prosecutorial abuse of power."

"I’m absolutely speechless," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It’s stunning. Even if you’re Mr. Hard on Crime, this is ridiculous."

Fetterman said on Twitter Wolf is unable to issue a pardon on the theft charge.

He also said Sheppard's attorney filed an emergency habeas corpus to have him released while he's being held on a detainer.