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Ex-cop Tepper arraigned on murder charge, jailed in protective custody

In the quiet, low-ceilinged basement courtroom of Magistrate Francis J. Rebstock, Frank Tepper made his first formal appearance last night as an ex-cop charged with murder.

In the quiet, low-ceilinged basement courtroom of Magistrate Francis J. Rebstock, Frank Tepper made his first formal appearance last night as an ex-cop charged with murder.

With his shoulders slumped and an expressionless gaze on his chubby face, Tepper looked every bit the part of a broken man whose life and career had derailed with a single gunshot on a narrow Port Richmond street almost three months ago.

It was about 5:30 last evening, a little more than eight hours after Tepper had surrendered to police.

He appeared in Rebstock's courtroom by video from the Police Headquarters at 8th and Race streets for a brief arraignment and didn't budge while Rebstock reviewed Tepper's case aloud.

When Rebstock asked if Tepper, 43, understood that he was being held without bail for fatally shooting William "Billy" Panas Jr., 21, on Elkhart Street near Edgemont on Nov. 21, the ex-cop said in a small voice: "Yes, sir."

Rebstock said Tepper and his attorney, Fortunato "Fred" Perri Jr., could ask a judge to set bail when Tepper returns to court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 17.

Until then, the magistrate said, Tepper was going to be held in protective custody in prison.

"You will be in a safe environment until your next hearing," Rebstock noted.

With that, Tepper, who was clad in a striped polo shirt, was led away, and possibly the longest day of the former Philadelphia police officer's life drew to a close.

Tepper had surrendered to police about 9 yesterday morning, after he entered Police Headquarters through an entrance on Race Street that's normally closed to the public. He had been stripped of his badge Jan. 4.

He was officially charged in the murder of Panas, whose family had loudly and publicly called for Tepper's arrest for months.

After assisting in Tepper's surrender to homicide detectives, Perri told a crowd of journalists, who had been waiting outside Police Headquarters, that Tepper is "fully prepared to face the charges at this point. He looks forward to the day when he can have his opportunity to clear his name. . . . This unfortunate tragedy is obviously something that is weighing on his mind. . . .

"We are convinced that the evidence will be uncontradicted to show that Tepper was being attacked and assaulted in front of his house. He reacted to the situation the best way he knew how."

Residents in the Port Richmond neighborhood where Panas was killed have said that Tepper, then off-duty, had a party at his house Nov. 21, and that an argument spilled outside the house.

Some residents have said Tepper appeared intoxicated when he shot Panas, who came upon the scene.

District Attorney Seth Williams on Monday announced that an arrest warrant was issued for Tepper on murder and related offenses. He said his decision came after reviewing the initial police Homicide Division investigation in the shooting and his own office's investigation.

Perri yesterday said he drove Tepper to Police Headquarters. He said that Tepper had been dressed in casual clothes and that this "is a very emotional time for him and his family."

Tepper is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next Wednesday.

The Panas family on Monday said they were relieved and happy that Tepper was being arrested and charged with murder.