Judge Keeps 1 Phila. Cop Murder Defendant Out of Courtroom

by KYW's Tony Hanson

There was a morning-long delay today in the trial of two men charged with the 2008 murder of Philadelphia police sergeant Stephen Liczbinski.
The trial was delayed as judge Rene Cardwell Hughes answered a high-stakes issue: would defendant Eric Floyd be in the courtroom when testimony resumed or wouldn't he?

Floyd has been watching the trial on television from an adjoining cell since he punched his attorney in the head during the jury selection process (see related story).

But this morning, Floyd indicated he wanted to be back in the courtroom.

After the judge questioned Floyd behind closed doors, under tight security, Judge Hughes said Floyd has now decided not to be the courtroom, making it clear he would not follow courtroom rules.