Share this @internewscast.com

A Philadelphia grand jury has indicted a veteran homicide detective for his part in a violent interrogation of a man who spent 11 years in prison for murder  before he was exonerated.

James Pitts has been accused of assaulting Obina Onyiah during his interrogation for the 2010 murder of a jewelry store owner. Onyiah confessed to the crime after the alleged beating and served 11 years of a life sentence until he was cleared of all charges nearly a year ago, WHYY reported.

“The grand jury recommended charges related to the conduct in the interrogation room, punching with a closed fist, poking or as Mr. Onyiah described it as ‘doinking’ him in the chest and grabbing him by the neck and forcing his head down between his legs,” said Mike Garmisa, supervisor of the District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Pitts is also charged with two counts of perjury for lying about the interrogation.

Onyiah was exonerated after investigators reviewed video and reinterviewed witnesses about the murder of William Glatz. Two assailants were involved, authorities said, and one was killed in a shootout with Glatz, who was also killed. The second assailant escaped and was described as “very slight of build” and no taller than 5’8″ by witnesses, according to 6ABC.

Onyiah is 6’3″.

Pitts was suspended from the Philadelphia Police Department for 30 days. Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said she intend to dismiss him at the end of the 30 days.

The Fraternal Order of Police said it intends to “represent this detective and provide an appropriate defense against these allegations.”

In recent months, three other Philadelphia police officers have faced charges relating to wrongful convictions, NBC Philadelphia reported. In the past four years, 24 men convicted of murder and sentenced to life have seen their convictions tossed on review.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: James Pitts/Philadelphia Police Department]

Source: This post first appeared on https://www.crimeonline.com/feed/

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Potential Shift in Legal Team: James Comey’s Lead Attorney Faces Removal from High-Profile Case

Left: Lindsey Halligan speaks as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in…

Urgent Search for Missing College Student: Community Rallies After Campus Disappearance

Authorities in Vermont are actively searching for a woman who disappeared from…

Driver’s Sudden Braking Sends Passenger Airborne: Police Report

Inset: Lamireon Robinson (Navarro County Justice Center). Background: East 13th Avenue in…

Mystifying Disappearance of 9-Year-Old Melodee Sparks Concern Among Family Members

The search for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard has become a pressing concern for…

Mother Allegedly Harmed Autistic Son Over Behavioral Challenges

In a tragic turn of events, a woman in Washington has been…

Authorities Conduct Thorough Search of Rural Toowoomba Property in Connection to Alleged Dismemberment Case

A man has been charged with murder as police search for the…

Smugglers Sentenced for $17 Million Drug Trafficking Scheme Involving ‘Black Flight

Two members of a notorious drug syndicate, known for their “black flight”…

Accused Melbourne CBD Stabber Withdraws Bail Request, Smirks in Courtroom Camera

A woman accused of a terrifying stabbing attack in Melbourne’s CBD will…

Police Discover Man on Top of Girlfriend After Fatal Stabbing

Share A Connecticut man faces murder charges after authorities discovered him atop…

Shocking Court Ruling: Man’s Attempt to Conceal Disturbing Charges of Bestiality and Child Abuse Denied

A man facing serious charges including rape, bestiality, and child abuse has…

Justice Delivered: Sentencing of Farm Murderer in Teen Girl’s Tragic Case

Inset: Jade Colvin (Iowa Department of Public Safety). Background: James Bachmurski at…

Police Report: Mother Charged After Infant Found Unattended in Bathtub

Inset: Courtney M. Newsom (Craighead County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The area in…