Man charged with killing Temple Police Sergeant Chris Fitzgerald found guilty of first-degree murder

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia jury on Wednesday convicted a suburban man for killing a Temple University police sergeant who had chased him down as a suspect in a series of carjackings.

That Miles Pfeffer killed Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald had not been in dispute. The murder trial largely centered on whether the February 2023 shooting death was intentional.

After less than a half-hour of deliberations, jurors found him guilty of murder of a law enforcement officer, robbery and gun crimes, prosecutors said. He was then sentenced to life without parole, plus decades for robbery.

Assistant District Attorney Bob Wainwright, who prosecuted the case, called Fitzgerald "the kind of police officer that we want in our city. And when you murder a police officer, yes, there is kind of significance to the importance of that kind of a case. Because our society depends on the police to function."

RELATED: Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald remembered 2 years after being killed in line of duty

Lawyers for Pfeffer, who was arrested hours later on his mother's sprawling 18th century Bucks County farm property in upscale Buckingham, said he was a frightened 18-year-old who panicked that night. Pfeffer is now 20 years old.

Prosecutors told jurors in opening statements that Fitzgerald gave chase after spotting Pfeffer, his brother and a friend dressed in black and wearing masks in an area where there had been a series of robberies and carjackings. Two of the teenagers hid. Fitzgerald caught up with Pfeffer and ordered him to the ground, leading to a struggle, authorities said.

Pfeffer then pulled out a gun and shot Fitzgerald six times, sometimes at point-blank range, prosecutors said. A security camera video played in court for jurors showed some of the chase and shooting. Pfeffer's brother testified against him at trial.

SEE ALSO | Brother helped identify suspect in Temple University police officer killing, documents show

Wainwright said prosecutors believed they had a strong case, crediting investigators for getting witness statements and collecting Pfeffer's DNA from a carjacked vehicle.

"Here we had six gunshots, all the vital parts of the human body, all at close range and all caught on video in a way that showed just kind of the viciousness of it," Wainwright told reporters after court was adjourned.

Fitzgerald, 31, was married and a father of four children.

Assistant Defender Susan Ricci said in openings that Pfeffer's actions had not been premeditated.

But Assistant District Attorney Lauren Crump said the video of Pfeffer standing over the officer and shooting proved his intent.

District Attorney Larry Krasner opposes the death penalty and did not pursue it in this case, despite calls for capital punishment from Fitzgerald's father, a former city officer who now runs the Denver transit police, and the Temple University Police Association, which called Krasner's decision "devastating."

READ: Temple President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin released this statement on the conviction:

"Today, justice was served in the case involving the tragic murder of Temple University Police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald. This conviction brings a significant legal chapter to a close, and while no verdict can undo the pain of his loss, we hope it provides some measure of peace for Sergeant Fitzgerald's family, friends, colleagues from the Department of Public Safety and all those who continue to mourn him.

Sergeant Fitzgerald gave his life in service to our community. He was a true hero who exemplified courage, compassion and dedication. His legacy endures in the countless lives he touched and in the continued excellence of the Department of Public Safety. Throughout the trial process, many members of the department were present in the courtroom to show support and solidarity with Sergeant Fitzgerald and his family. We know that this has been a profoundly emotional week for all those who knew and loved Sergeant Fitzgerald.

Our deepest sympathies remain with the Fitzgerald family. We stand with them today and always, united in grief and in remembrance of Sergeant Fitzgerald's extraordinary life. As we reflect on this moment, let it also reaffirm our commitment to honor Sergeant Fitzgerald's memory through our actions by supporting one another and working toward a safer, more just community for all."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.