PHILADELPHIA – A medical emergency with a juror caused a delay in the deliberations for the trial of two men accused of killing a Philadelphia police sergeant.
What we know:
Jurors deliberated for about an hour before a medical emergency required one juror to be replaced with an alternate.
The judge instructed the jury to discard today’s discussions and start fresh tomorrow.
Jobranny Martinez-Fernandez and Hendrick Peña-Fernandez are on trial for the murder of Sgt. Richard Mendez.
Many officers showed support by attending the courtroom proceedings.
The backstory:
On Oct. 12, 2023, the prosecution stated that Martinez-Fernandez and Peña-Fernandez, along with Alexander Batista-Polanco and Jesús Madera-Durán, were attempting to steal a Jeep at the airport’s Terminal D parking lot.
They were confronted by Sgt. Mendez and Officer Raul Ortiz. The men allegedly opened fire, killing Mendez and injuring Ortiz.
Police said Martinez-Fernandez took Mendez’s gun before the group drove Madera-Durán, who was also shot, to the hospital where he later died.
The prosecution presented several witnesses, including police officers and experts, during the trial. Batista-Polanco also testified against the two defendants about what happened that night.
Connection to a car theft ring
Investigators later linked the defendants to a car theft ring that stole high-end cars and resold them in Camden County. Thirteen people were arrested in connection with this investigation, including Martinez-Fernandez, Peña-Fernandez, and Alexander Batista-Polanco, who previously pled guilty to lesser charges.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear what the jury’s verdict will be, and if the sentencing will occur tomorrow if a verdict is reached.
Crime & Public SafetyNewsPhiladelphia Police Department