PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former Philadelphia police officer charged in the killing of an unarmed Black man is on house arrest after the district attorney withdrew first-degree murder charges weeks after initially charging him.
Eric Ruch Jr. now faces third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the death of Dennis Plowden, who authorities say was unarmed when the former police officer shot him.
A grand jury recommended first-degree and third-degree murder charges, and District Attorney Larry Krasner announced Ruch was charged with both in October. But about two weeks ago, the DA withdrew first-degree murder charges.
Plowden was fatally shot in December 2017 when prosecutors say he struck three parked cars during a high-speed chase, hit a pole and fell to the ground getting out of the car — which is when, authorities say, Ruch shot him one time, striking him in the head.
Ruch has been placed under house arrest after posting bail.
Jane Roh, a spokesperson for the DA’s office, has not said why the first-degree murder charge was dropped.
"The District Attorney, as he always does, exercised his prosecutorial discretion to fairly and effectively seek justice on behalf of the Commonwealth,” said Roh.