The family of a murdered Temple University police officer is calling for a special prosecutor after the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office declined to pursue the death penalty against the Bucks County man accused of killing him.
The decision announced Wednesday means that Buckingham resident Miles Pfeffer, 19, would potentially face life without parole if convicted in the February 2023 fatal shooting of Christopher Fitzgerald, the first line-of-duty death for Temple University police department.
The Fitzgeralds learned Tuesday night that the death penalty was off the table, according to a law firm representing the family, which released a statement on their behalf calling for the recall of Philly DA Larry Krasner.
“When a prosecutor does everything that a prosecutor would not do to present the best case for a judge or jury to decide, they demonstrate that defendant’s lives are more important than their victim’s,” according to the family’s statement released by the Marrone Law Firm.
In the statement, the Fitzgeralds said they believe the prosecution of Pfeffer will be “a neutered version that Krasner orchestrated to the benefit of the privileged.”
More on the death of Temple officerFamily of slain Temple police officer wants death penalty for Bucks County murder suspect
“Prior to this evening, we remained prayerful that the judicial system would be allowed to work and that the fate of my son’s murderer would be decided by a judge or jury with all available options,” Fitzgerald’s mother, Pauline, said.
In addition to their message to recall Krasner, the Fitzgeralds appealed to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, a former Bucks County DA, to take over the prosecution of Pfeffer.
The Fitzgeralds believe AG’s office has jurisdiction in the case because the murder happened within 500-feet of a SEPTA location, according to the statement.
DA spokesman Dustin Slaughter said in a statement "This decision was made after extensive input over many hours from the family of officer Fitzgerald, and from experts."
Slaughter said the DA committee that considers possible death penalty matters reviewed “all aspects of the case itself and all obtainable information on the defendant” prior to making their recommendations to Krasner, who made the final determination.
"The input of the family is deeply appreciated and was carefully considered by the committee and DA Krasner prior to his decision,” Slaughter said. “The DAO looks forward to continuing to support the family’s needs and to vigorously prosecuting this terrible murder."
What Philadelphia authorities say happened Feb. 18, 2023 on Temple University campus
Christopher Fitzgerald was on patrol alone when he placed a radio call that he was in pursuit of three individuals shortly after 7:12 pm. Feb. 18, 2023 near the North Philadelphia campus of Temple University.
The three were in the area of 1800 block of Montgomery Avenue where there have been a series of robberies and carjackings, police said. The males, including Pfeffer, who was 18 at the time, were in the city visiting friends, authorities said.
When Fitzgerald attempted to stop them, the teens ran. Pfeffer's 16-year-old brother and a 17-year-old friend, hid and Fitzgerald continued to pursue Pfeffer into the 1700 block of Montgomery Avenue, roughly one block of the city's 22nd police district, police said.
When Fitzgerald caught up with Pfeffer and ordered him to the ground, the two struggled before Pfeffer allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired six times, including three rounds after Fitzgerald was wounded on the ground, police said.
Pfeffer then unsuccessfully attempted to remove Fitzgerald’s service weapon from its holster, authorities said.
After allegedly shooting Fitzgerald, Pfeffer ran to the 1800 block of Montgomery Avenue where he carjacked a man, threatening to kill him if he didn't hand over his car keys. The car was later recovered in the 1900 block of North 30th Street.
Pfeffer's mother, who he lived in Buckingham with, picked him up in the area of North 29th Street and Ridge Avenue, and drove him to her Bucks County home where he was apprehended the next day.
What we know about slain Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald joined the Temple force in October 2021 after spending time as a corrections officer in Lehigh County and as a member of the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office and housing authority police department.
He was married and the father of four children. He was also known as a community activist participating in the Hood2Hood project, where members of running clubs with primarily male minority members ran through neighborhoods most affected by gun violence to encourage others to pursue positive activities.
The Fitzgerald family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pfeffer’s parents and his mother’s partner in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.
According to the lawsuit, Pfeffer's family allegedly knew he was mentally unstable, violent, and that he sought access to guns. The suit alleges Pfeffer conducted a "bomb scare" at a Central Bucks school in 2019.
What we know about Miles Pfeffer, the Buckingham teen accused of murdering Christopher Fitzgerald
Pfeffer lived in Buckingham with his mother and her partner; his father lives in Philadelphia. He attended schools in the Central Bucks School District until September 2019.
At the time of his arrest he was enrolled in the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Warwick. He also attended the New Hope Academy, a private alternative school in 2022.
He is charged with murder, criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer, disarming an officer, robbery, theft, evading arrest, weapons crimes. robbery, theft, terroristic threatening and other charges. His formal arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Pfeffer is represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0