PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The district attorney has withdrawn two-dozen charges lodged against a former Philadelphia homicide detective accused of sexual misconduct and tampering with witnesses during investigations. Jury selection has begun for the trial expected to start next week.
Phillip Nordo, 55, now faces 11 charges, including rape, sexual assault, stalking and theft, far fewer than the 35 he was charged with more than three years ago.
Prosecutors say he threatened and sexually assaulted male witnesses tied to homicide investigations. One of the accusers has died and another cannot be found, which prosecutors said led to them withdrawing two-thirds of the charges.
The Philadelphia Police Department fired Nordo, a 20-year veteran, and the district attorney charged him in early 2019, after a grand jury investigation.
He maintains his innocence, but prosecutors say Nordo met witnesses and informants outside of police properties and forced himself on them.
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Before jury selection began, the defense argued for no masks to be worn through the trial, saying it hinders their fight, but the judge disagreed and said he was sticking with court rules and procedures which mandates jurors wear masks.
Jury selection is expected to last a few days. Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Monday. The list of witnesses includes detectives, crime scene investigators, defense attorneys — and even a former judge. The case is expected to last from three to five weeks.