KYW In Depth: Why David Sheppard's clemency ignited a political firestorm

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In 1992, David Sheppard was one of four people convicted of the robbery and murder of Thomas Brennan, a pharmacy owner in Overbrook.

He served 27 years of his life sentence before Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf decided to grant clemency to Sheppard and seven others. But before Sheppard was released, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman accused outgoing Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland of trying to block his clemency because of a shoplifting case from 27 years ago.

Then, the war of words between Fetterman and Copeland suddenly got national attention after Kim Kardashian West amplified Sheppard's case to more than 62 million Twitter followers.

This week on KYW In Depth, host Carol MacKenzie talks to KYW Newsradio Suburban Bureau Chief Jim Melwert about David Sheppard, the bad blood between Harrisburg and Delaware County, and the impact the suddenly viral clemency case is having on the two families at its core.

Each week, KYW In Depth will take you inside a story that matters to the Philadelphia region. With original reporting and compelling interviews, the most experienced news team in Philadelphia radio goes beyond the headlines and into the captivating details surrounding a local story. Subscribe here, on the RADIO.COM app on your smartphone, or wherever you listen to podcasts.