David Sheppard is out of prison after nearly 30 years, but the days leading up to his release were embroiled in a controversy involving Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf, Delco District Attorney Kat Coleman and even national celebrity Kim Kardashian, according to cbslocal.com and ycnews.com.
Sheppard served 27 years for his role in the deadly shooting and robbery of Overbrook Pharmacist Thomas Brannan.
He was not the shooter but was convicted for second-degree felony murder.
On Dec. 4, Sheppard was granted clemency by the Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons and Gov. Wolf.
Delco DA Kat Copeland then detained him, charged with stealing jeans from a Springfield store in 1992.
A judge released Sheppard Dec. 9 pending his shoplifting trial. Incoming Democratic District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said he plans to drop the charge.
Copeland said her decision to detain Sheppard was about not notifying the victim Brannan’s family before granting clemency.
“The question should be asked, what efforts were made? Because here, there was clearly a breakdown in the system which has yet to be acknowledged,” Copeland said.
On Dec. 7, Reality TV star Kim Kardashian weighed in, supporting the clemency decision, calling Copeland’s actions an abuse of prosecutorial authority.
Read more about Kardashian and Sheppard here.
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