Pottstown man receives split jury verdict for shooting police officer in the leg.

A Pottstown man, William Ciccoli Jr., aged 42, has been acquitted of the charge of attempted murder but has been convicted on multiple counts, including assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, and related offenses. This ruling follows a two-day trial centered around an incident that occurred in November, when Ciccoli shot Pottstown Police Corporal Anthony Fischer in the leg during a confrontation that stemmed from a reported domestic disturbance involving Ciccoli and his ex-girlfriend.

Throughout the trial, Ciccoli maintained his innocence regarding the shooting, asserting that he did not fire the weapon that struck Fischer. In his testimony, he claimed, “It must’ve been another hand, because it wasn’t mine. I didn’t shoot him.” Despite his statements, the jury from Montgomery County concluded that Ciccoli had indeed pulled the trigger of the firearm but did not possess the intent to kill the officer.

The events leading to the shooting were documented by body-worn cameras operated by another police officer at the scene. Footage presented in court depicted a struggle between Ciccoli and Fischer as the officers attempted to detain him following allegations of strangulation made by his ex-girlfriend. During the struggle, a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun, which was still holstered, discharged, striking Fischer in the right leg and narrowly missing the femoral artery. Fischer provided testimony indicating that he has not fully regained function in his leg subsequent to the incident and experiences pain during physical activity.

Ciccoli’s defense was built around his assertion of fear, claiming he fled the officers because he believed they would side with his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of choking her during a domestic dispute inside their shared apartment. For this accusation, Ciccoli was found guilty of simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Sentencing for Ciccoli is scheduled to occur in the coming weeks. He faces an impending sentence that carries a mandatory minimum of 20 to 40 years in state prison due to the conviction related to the assault on a law enforcement officer. The case has drawn attention to issues surrounding police interactions with individuals accused of domestic violence and the complexities arising from such tense situations. Media News Source.