Latest news with #Narcotics
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Maurice Hill: Trial underway for man accused of shooting 6 Philadelphia officers in summer 2019
The Brief Maurice Hill faces dozens of charges that include attempted murder and assault of a law enforcement officer after a standoff in 2019. Two of the six officers injured in the standoff testified on Thursday. PHILADELPHIA - The trial is underway for Maurice Hill, the man accused of firing on Philadelphia Police officers during an hours-long standoff back in the summer of 2019. What we know Officer Joshua Burkitt testified how he took cover behind a red pick-up truck on the 3700 block of North 15th Street as it was getting peppered with bullets, when one of them hit the long gun he was holding. He said fragments of the bullet struck his hand, and they are still lodged there today. He had just joined the force about a year prior. Another officer injured that day, Justin Matthews, who no longer works with Philadelphia Police, also testified. He said he positioned in the kitchen of a home across the street from where the gunfire was coming from, and at one point saw an African American man in a white tank top in a window. Moments later, he heard two loud bangs and suddenly felt his hamstring burning. Prosecutors allege that Hill started the standoff when he used an assault rifle to open fire on Narcotics officers, who were there for an investigation. It led to a massive response of law enforcement ducking for cover, that ultimately ended with Hill surrendering following a phone call with District Attorney Larry Krasner. A Philadelphia Police sergeant who worked the narcotics investigation also testified on Thursday, saying he was on the enclosed porch of the home where the shooting came from. He testified that he returned fire twelve times, because, "I was being shot at and thought I was going to die." At the time he said he believed he was the last officer in the home, and ran to safety. Testimony started on Tuesday. Officials say Hill's team decided to go to a trial after rejecting a plea deal. Hill was seated beside his attorney in a navy-blue suit, occasionally turning back to look at those seated in the courtroom. Arguments by his attorney, Ellis Palividas, surround the notion that Hill did not know who he was firing upon that day. What's next Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross and District Attorney Larry Krasner are among those that could testify, but it's unclear if they will be called to take the stand. The trial will resume on Friday morning. The Source The information in this story is from the courtroom hearing session on Thursday, April 24.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
2 Ansonia men facing narcotics charges in Stratford
STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Stratford police say two people were arrested during an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine throughout town. The Stratford Police Department's Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit started investigating a specific person in January, based on a tip. They were informed the suspect was a street-level drug dealer that would sell narcotic substances to people throughout town. Ansonia man gets 20 years in 2017 shooting death On March 7, the NVI Unit executed four search and seizure warrants related to the investigation of William Pjura, 20, of Ansonia. The search warrants applied to a residence in Ansonia, another residence in Shelton, a 2010 Cadillac and Pjura's person. Police said the searches found about 42 grams of crack/cocaine, about 84 grams of fentanyl, a large assortment of oxycodone pills, a 2010 Cadillac CTS and $1,600 in cash. Ansonia man arrested following child porn investigation Pjura was subsequently charged with multiple narcotics offenses, including operation of an illegal drug factory and illegal possession of methadone/narcotics with intent to sell. Pjura was held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 17. George Rich, 60, of Ansonia was also arrested during the execution of one of the search warrants. He was charged with illegal possession of narcotics and illegally obtaining prescriptions. Richard was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on March 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
