Manslaughter sentences for cop-killer's accomplices

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Manslaughter sentences for cop-killer's accomplices

Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco
Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco (Courtesy photo)

Steven Petrilli, 24, has already been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the July 26, 2006 killing of San Francisco Police Department Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco.

Petrilli had been fleeing police in a stolen van after committing four robberies in The City when he struck Birco’s patrol car. Birco was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.

But there was still a lot of concern about his two accomplices in the robberies that night, Carl Lather and Nicholas Smith.

On Friday, the two pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery in a plea deal that should result in a 15-year sentence, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 6 in San Francisco Superior Court.


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URL: http://www.sfexaminer.com/blogs/law-and-disorder/2011/02/manslaughter-sentences-cop-killers-accomplices