Lewis, 23, was in court for about five minutes as Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart questioned him about whether he understood the legal implications of his decision.

Lewis, dressed in a dark green prison jumpsuit and wearing oversized black-frame glasses, told the judge he understood that, by withdrawing the motion, he could not challenge the propriety of his statement later.

Lewis also told the judge the decision to withdraw what is known as a "suppression motion" was his alone and not suggested by his lawyers.

Lewis did not explain his decision and his lawyers, Michael Coard and Bernard L. Siegel, declined comment after the judge reaffirmed a gag order barring lawyers from talking to reporters.

Lewis' decision clears the way for the beginning of jury selection tomorrow morning. Jury selection is expected to last the rest of this week.

The Criminal Justice Center courtroom was filled to capacity with police officers and commanders who escorted Cassidy's widow, Judy, their three children and other relatives in and out of the courtroom.

Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Selber and Edward Cameron will ask the jury to impose the death penalty if it finds Lewis guilty of first degree murder.

In addition to murder, Lewis is charged with committing six armed robberies, the last of which, on Oct. 31, 2007, was interrupted by Cassidy who was then shot in the head and fatally wounded.

Lewis initially sought to prevent prosecutors from using the statement in which he reportedly confessed to shooting Cassidy, 54, a veteran of 25 years on the Philadelphia force, during the robbery of a Dunkin' Donuts on Broad Street near 66th Avenue in West Oak Lane.

The statement was reportedly made to police in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 6, 2007 when Lewis was arrested at a homeless shelter after fleeing Philadelphia three days earlier.

In addition to the statement to police, Lewis made a public statement that night to reporters and television news cameras in which he apologized to the Cassidy family, saying "I never meant anything to happen like this."