Two men headed to trial in shooting of Philly Police Officer Giovanni Maysonet
Eric Haynes, 45, the accused shooter, waived his preliminary hearing. Ernest Reid was held for trial on charges including obstruction for driving his car from the scene after the gunfire.
Two men accused of participating in the shooting of Philadelphia Police Officer Giovanni Maysonet in West Philadelphia earlier this year were ordered Thursday to stand trial in the case.
Eric Haynes, 45, who is accused of shooting Maysonet during a traffic stop in February, waived his preliminary hearing on charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault. Haynes said little during the proceeding, and was sent back to the Riverside Correctional Facility on $10 million bail.
Ernest Reid, meanwhile, was held for trial on charges including obstruction and tampering with evidence for driving his car away from the scene after the shooting. By that point, Haynes had left on foot and Maysonet had been taken to the hospital by his partner.
Prosecutors showed brief surveillance video of the incident during Reid’s preliminary hearing, and Assistant District Attorney Alison Neveil said his actions amounted to moving a key piece of evidence from an active crime scene.
Reid’s attorney, Colin Hueston, had tried to convince Municipal Court Judge Wendy L. Pew that Reid — who he said didn’t know Haynes was going to shoot Maysonet — had simply driven the car back to his house after the chaotic incident and before any other responding officers had arrived. He didn’t seek to hide or destroy the car, Hueston said, and was ultimately cooperative with police after being taken into custody.
Pew nonetheless ordered Reid, 42, held for trial on all counts, which also include reckless endangerment, for allegedly firing a BB gun on his street several hours before Haynes shot Maysonet. The BB gun was found in his car after it was seized by police, authorities said.
Maysonet was shot Feb. 8 on the 200 block of North 60th Street after he and his partner, Officer Mychal Couch, pulled over the Lexus that Reid was driving because of its window tint, authorities said.
Maysonet walked up to the passenger-side door while Couch approached the driver’s side. Haynes then got out of the passenger door and got into a scuffle with Maysonet, who grabbed him by the midsection before Haynes shot at the officer at least twice, police said. Haynes fired his gun while it was still in the pocket of his sweatshirt, according to police.
Maysonet was struck once in the chest area of his bulletproof vest and once in his abdomen. Couch then drove him to the hospital.
Haynes left the scene on foot, while Reid drove to his house, which was nearby. Both were arrested later that day.
Maysonet was released from the hospital about a month later.
Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and several of her top deputies attended Thursday’s hearing. She said afterward that they were there to support Maysonet, and that “we’re all pleased with what happened” in the courtroom.