Cassidy murder case
moves ahead in court

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The cousin of accused cop killer John "Jordan" Lewis pleaded guilty on Monday to helping Lewis flee Philadelphia days after the fatal shooting of Officer Chuck Cassidy last Halloween.
Hakim Glover, 24, of the 3800 block of N. Franklin St., admitted to charges of hindering apprehension and obstructing justice before Common Pleas Court Judge Benjamin Lerner.
Lewis, who has publicly admitted to shooting Cassidy, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today (Jan. 10). Glover may be called as a prosecution witness.
Authorities had accused Glover of driving Lewis to a Wilmington, Del., bus station and purchasing him a ticket to Miami after local authorities had named Lewis as the primary suspect in the Cassidy slaying.
Lewis made it to Miami, where he was arrested inside a homeless shelter on Nov. 6.
Glover also was accused of hiding two guns involved in the Cassidy case inside his home, where authorities recovered them. One was the alleged murder weapon. Another was the sidearm that the killer stole from the fatally wounded officer moments after the shooting.
Glover, who has remained in jail in lieu of $1 million bail since his early November arrest, faces up to 14 years in prison. Lerner will sentence him on Feb. 27.
Lewis, 21, of the 800 block of W. Roosevelt Blvd., remains in jail without bail. He is charged with first-degree murder.
He allegedly ambushed Cassidy, 54, inside a Dunkin’ Donuts on the 6600 block of N. Broad St. in West Oak Lane on the morning of Oct. 31 as the officer unknowingly interrupted Lewis’ armed robbery of the business.
Cassidy, a 25-year police veteran assigned to the 35th district, routinely stopped at the doughnut shop while on patrol. Lewis allegedly had robbed the same shop weeks earlier.
Lewis allegedly shot Cassidy in the head as the policeman, a Holme Circle resident and St. Jerome’s Church parishioner, entered the front door of the business. Cassidy did not have an opportunity to return fire. Lewis allegedly stooped to grab Cassidy’s gun, then fled.
Cassidy, a married father of three, died at 9:40 the following morning at Albert Einstein Medical Center.
A third man facing criminal charges connected to the Cassidy case is also scheduled for a preliminary hearing today.
Shawn Williams, 25, of the 5700 block of Ogontz Ave., had nothing to do with the shooting, but he allegedly said he did.
He told an ex-girlfriend that he drove the shooter to the doughnut shop that morning, authorities claim. Williams identified the killer as someone other than Lewis. The woman then told the story to police. When questioned by detectives, Williams allegedly repeated his claims.
Investigators say they spent valuable man-hours following up on Williams’ false account. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com