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Former Philadelphia Police Officer Faces Cross-Examination In Squad Corruption Trial

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A former drug officer accused with five colleagues could face cross-examination as he testifies in their racketeering trial in Philadelphia.

Michael Spicer is set to return after spending most of Friday on the witness stand.

The 47-year-old Spicer has denied the testimony of a former squad member who says the officers routinely stole cash and drugs from suspects.

Defense lawyers have questioned the credibility of that officer and pointed to his guilty plea to describe him as a rogue outcast in the unit.

Federal prosecutors have also called more than a dozen admitted drug dealers. They say they were robbed, false convicted and sometimes beaten by the elite squad members.

Spicer may be the last witness in the month-long trial before closing arguments.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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