Ex-Pa. cop will get life sentence for fatal shooting

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A jury has convicted an off-duty Philadelphia police officer of first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed neighbor during a melee outside his daughter’s baby shower.

The verdict will send 45-year-old Frank Tepper to prison for life without parole in the death of 21-year-old William Panas Jr.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Barry said no one — not even police — can recklessly shoot someone in the chest and get away with it.

He says it’s not clear Panas was even involved in the initial brawl.

Defense lawyer Fortunato Perri Jr. argued that Tepper fired in self-defense. But he said he respects the jury’s work during several days of deliberations.

The November 2009 shooting stoked tensions in the city’s Port Richmond neighborhood.

Tepper will be formally sentenced March 29.