PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The trial continues Monday for the two men charged in the fatal shooting of Philadelphia police Sgt. Richard Mendez, inside an airport parking garage two years ago.
Prosecutors have shown drone video matching the path of travel the two witnesses walked through Terminal D’s parking garage when they heard the gunshots that killed Mendez in October of 2023.
His partner, Officer Raul Ortiz, was shot in the arm and survived.
The 9-1-1 call he made was played for the jury during which he screams in pain, and then realizes Mendez is down and shouts “Rich Rich” and yells louder for help to “hurry hurry”.
An officer who responded and tried to revive Mendez, after not feeling a pulse, tearfully testified.
Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez face 2nd degree murder, robbery, and other related charges.
Their co-defendant, Alexander Batista-Polanco, who already pleaded guilty to a lesser 3rd degree murder charge, testified Friday about how they, including his best friend Jesus Madiera-Duran, set out that night to steal cars. After the deadly encounter, they dropped Madiera-Duran, who had been shot, at the hospital, where he later died.
The pair of defendants is also facing murder charges for his death.
The trial is expected to conclude this week.