Rabb issues statement on convicted Philly homicide detective
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb June 2, 2022 | 4:56 PM
HARRISBURG, June 2 – State Rep. Chris Rabb will soon introduce legislation that would require Pennsylvania to provide compensation and wrap-around services to innocent Pennsylvanians who have been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated.
In the wake of Wednesday’s guilty verdict in the case of former police detective Phillip Nardo of the Philadelphia Police Department, Rabb maintains that when such brazen dereliction of duty by members of law enforcement are successfully adjudicated, such revelations demand thorough investigation into all cases linked to convicted individuals.
Rabb said, “This verdict should open the floodgates in terms of re-trying all of the cases of individuals who were convicted based on this crooked detective’s testimony.”
Pennsylvania is one of only 15 states without a law to compensate exonerees who were wrongfully convicted and spent time in prison. With substantive input from various exonerees and other stakeholders, Rabb has authored groundbreaking legislation to compensate Pennsylvanians whose liberty was stolen. More information about his legislation can be found at this link: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=35330.
“It is incredibly unjust to see people in positions of power get away with such inhumanity because of their status and for innocent people to lose years -- sometimes decades -- of their lives in prison for crimes they did not commit,” Rabb said. “When wrongful convictions occur, it is important to make sure exonerees are able to have some recompense and other assistance when they’re released from prison and that the state pays that individual the debt they’re owed.”
Rabb has also authored legislation that is now state law which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in sexual activity while on duty. You can find more information about this legislation here: House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda - PA House of Representatives (state.pa.us)
More information about the verdict is available at this link: Former Philadelphia homicide detective Philip Nordo found guilty of sexually assaulting witnesses | PhillyVoice.