DA Blames Police Misconduct for 2019 Acquittal of Suspect in Philadelphia Officer Killing Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner says police misconduct, including a detective's secret relationship and fabricated tip, led to Eric Lewis's 2019 acquittal before he allegedly killed Officer Shane Seiber. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Tuesday that police misconduct undermined a 2019 murder case against Eric Lewis, the man now accused of killing a Philadelphia police officer in an ambush. Lewis, 35, was acquitted in that earlier case. Krasner blamed the outcome on flawed police work and what he called arguably criminal conduct. Lewis now faces roughly 80 separate charges, including murder, homicide of a law enforcement officer, attempted murder and 10 counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. Additional charges include aggravated assault, terroristic threats and other related offenses.He is ordered held without bail. Authorities say Lewis killed Officer Shane Seiber and wounded his partner. The fallen officer was identified as Shane Seiber, a 40-year-old father of two and Air Force veteran. Seiber spent 10 years with the Philadelphia Police Department.He leaves behind his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. Seiber was shot three times and died later in the hospital Saturday after responding to reports of an armed man on a porch early Saturday morning in West Philadelphia. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel told a news conference that Seiber fought valiantly but lost his life. Bethel described the shootout as a brutal, senseless, horrific killing.Seiber died in the hospital surrounded by his wife and family. His unidentified partner, a father of five, was shot 12 times and is now in stable condition, Bethel said, adding that he is not out of the woods yet. In a video statement, Krasner explained why Lewis was free before the ambush.DA Explains 2019 Acquittal FlawsHe said a balanced, good and fair judge did what he had to do because two absolutely excellent prosecutors did everything humanly possible with a case and an investigation that was so deeply flawed. Krasner said the case was not just full of errors and mistakes, but very serious ones. Krasner said some conduct involving one police officer and one detective is arguably criminal.He said the police officer involved in the earlier case was in a relationship with the sister of the defendant. Krasner said the officer tried to torpedo his testimony by making up a complete lie. According to Krasner, the officer invented a story that he had received an anonymous tip naming a person called Spice as the real killer. Krasner said no such person exists.Krasner called the conduct beyond outrageous, giving false information to law enforcement and obstruction of the administration of justice. He described it as outrageous, despicable and tragic all at the same time. Krasner said the judge notified police internal affairs of the incident. He then said we need to be clear about what is actually happening here.Krasner said one police officer was fired and one was disciplined, but he does not have further information. The Philadelphia Police Department responded in a statement to Fox News. The department said assigning blame while families are grieving does nothing to advance accountability or support those affected. It added that true leadership does not seek to assign fault in a moment like this, but stands with the families and holds itself to the same scrutiny it asks of others.Lewis has a criminal record dating back to 2012, when he was convicted of theft and receiving stolen property. The following year, he was convicted of gun-related offenses and simple assault, for which he received probation. The 2019 murder case was a separate matter in which he was acquitted. Lewis also managed to dodge 2021 assault and weapons charges after the key witness and victim in that case died.Lewis Water Department Employment ScrutinizedThe city's glaring failures vetting Lewis' employment are now under intense scrutiny, as he was somehow employed by the Philadelphia Water Department at the time of Saturday's deadly ambush. The Philadelphia Police Department told The Post in a statement that it will continue to examine every aspect of this matter, including the prior investigation and prosecution. Where accountability is warranted, we will act, as Commissioner Kevin Bethel has already demonstrated.There will be a time to address the full record, but it is not now. The statement added that we will have more to say. Right now, these families deserve our attention, our support and our respect. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration and the Philadelphia Water Department did not immediately respond to The Post's requests for comment.The suspected shooter fled down an alley before opening fire on nine more responding officers, none of whom were hit, Krasner told a news conference Saturday. Lewis was arrested hours later while hiding up in a tree. The shooting prompted a massive response from law enforcement and renewed scrutiny of the earlier case that allowed Lewis to remain free. Krasner's video statement was released by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.In it, he defended his office's handling of the prior prosecution and placed responsibility on the police investigation. He said the two prosecutors did everything humanly possible despite the flaws. The Philadelphia Police Department did not directly address the specific allegations of criminal conduct by the officer. Instead, it emphasized support for the families of the fallen officer and the wounded officer.The case has drawn attention to the relationship between police misconduct and case outcomes. It has also raised questions about how a suspect with a violent criminal history was able to remain out of custody before the ambush. Seiber's death has left his family and colleagues mourning. He was remembered as a dedicated officer who served his country and his city.His wife and two young children survive him. The wounded partner remains hospitalized and is recovering. The district attorney said the judge in the 2019 case acted properly given the flawed investigation. He praised the prosecutors for their efforts.Officers Disciplined for MisconductHe said the acquittal was not the result of prosecutorial failure but of police misconduct that destroyed the case. Krasner said he does not have additional details about the discipline of the two officers involved. One was fired and one was disciplined, according to his statement. The internal affairs notification by the judge is part of the record.The police department has not commented on the specific discipline. The ambush killing of Officer Seiber occurred in Philadelphia. The suspect, Eric Lewis, was taken into custody and charged. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.The case is expected to proceed in the coming weeks. Fox News received the statement from the Philadelphia Police Department. The statement did not address the criminal allegations against the officer. It focused on the grieving families and the need for accountability.Police Department Defends Family SupportThe department said it stands with the families affected by the tragedy. The earlier murder case against Lewis involved the killing of another person. He was acquitted in 2019 after a trial. The district attorney says the acquittal was directly caused by police misconduct, including false information given to law enforcement.The officer's relationship with the defendant's sister was a conflict of interest. Krasner said the officer's invented story about an anonymous tip was an attempt to avoid participating in the case. He said the conduct was obstruction of the administration of justice.