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Montgomery County DA Clears Lower Merion Officers in Fatal Shooting of Ex-Cop Accused of Child Rape

Prosecutors pointed to video evidence showing a shot from the suspect’s Jeep during an arrest attempt.

Overview

  • The district attorney’s office, which announced its decision Thursday, said the two officers’ use of deadly force was justified under Pennsylvania law.
  • Officers watching Francis Collier’s Bala Cynwyd home on February 25 said they heard a gunshot from his Jeep around 3:45 a.m., saw a bullet exit a rear window, and then fired on the vehicle.
  • Collier was found in the back seat with three gunshot wounds to the head, including one that was self-inflicted, and an autopsy could not determine which shot was fatal.
  • Investigators recovered a Sig Sauer pistol from his lap along with two rifles, another handgun, and a bulletproof vest inside the Jeep.
  • Authorities said Collier, a former Morton part-time officer, had been charged hours earlier with rape and other child sex crimes, and officials have not released the officers’ names or said if any further review will follow.