Sgt. Richard Mendez shooting: Deliberations to begin in trial for men accused of killing Philadelphia police officer at airport
Deliberations are set to begin on Wednesday in the murder trial of two men accused of shooting and killing a Philadelphia police officer.
It has taken two years to get to this point, which has been difficult for the Philadelphia police community and the family of Sergeant Richard Mendez.
Now, a jury will decide the fate of two of the three men charged with Sgt. Mendez's murder.
Sgt. Mendez was an officer for 22 years, a husband and father of two.
His family and dozens of officers have been in court the past week for the murder trial.
The 50-year-old was shot to death on October 12, 2023 , while he was investigating a car break-in inside a parking garage at the Philadelphia International Airport, where he was assigned.
His 60-year-old partner was also shot and survived.
The men charged with murder include 23-year-old Alexander Batista-Polanco, who pleaded guilty a few days before the trial began last week.
It is now up to the jury to decide the fate of 20-year-old Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez and 23-year-old Hendrick Pena-Fernandez.
Their defense argued there were no cameras inside the airport parking garage.
The prosecution presented evidence that they say places the men at the scene, along with another suspect who was killed in the shooting.
