September 30, 2015
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a death sentence Tuesday for a man who shot a police officer in Bethlehem.
The court denied an appeal that cited mitigating factors, including testimony that the killer, George Hitcho Jr., was sexually abused several times, including by a correctional officer while being held in detention.
The justices ruled the jury's unanimous decision was correct regarding the circumstances of the shooting, which occurred when Freemansburg police Officer Robert Lasso responded to a report of a disagreement between Hitcho and one of his neighbors, according to court records. The 2011 dispute started when the neighbor yelled at Hitcho for speeding.
Lasso was reportedly attacked by some of Hitcho's dogs, and when backup officers ordered Lasso to shoot them with his Taser, Hitcho came out the back door of his home and shot Lasso in the head with a shotgun. Lasso died within seconds.
Hitcho testified that he thought the order to shoot was directed at him, which is why he fired, and said he "soiled" his pants because he was so scared of the officers.
But the court found Hitcho's testimony to be "unbelievable" due to his "propensity toward violence" as well as the fact that he personally knew Lasso, discrediting the claim that he thought an unknown intruder was entering his home.
While being transported in a police vehicle after the shooting and under video surveillance, Hitcho reportedly said, "Hey, I'm on 'Candid Camera,' " according to court records.
Lasso left behind a wife and two children, The Express-Times reports.
