NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — The man convicted of shooting a Pottstown, Pennsylvania, police officer was sentenced to decades in prison on Tuesday.
There was a lot of emotion in a Norristown courtroom as the defendant, William Ciccoli Jr., was sentenced to 20 to 40 years for assault charges.
Corporal Anthony Fischer shed tears as he sat in the front row of the courtroom next to his wife. The judge in the case acknowledged Fischer’s bravery as a Pottstown police officer.
As he left the courtroom, Fischer was still tearful, but thankful.
“I’m good. Thank you,” he said when asked by Action News how he felt about getting justice in the case.
Family and fellow officers were in the courtroom to support him after he survived a shooting that left him with devastating injuries.
“[Ciccoli] shot him where he almost died,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
Ciccoli maintained his innocence as he spoke to Action News while being led away in handcuffs.
“Corporal Fischer knows I didn’t grab his gun, that’s why they didn’t test the gun for DNA. If I would have disarmed him, my prints would be all over the gun,” Ciccoli said. “I didn’t shoot him.”
The judge took issue with statements like that, saying Ciccoli has no remorse and no accountability.
The shooting happened on Nov. 15, 2024 after officers responded to a domestic violence call in the 200 block of Chestnut St.
Officer shot in Pottstown, Pa. while responding to domestic violence call: DA
While trying to arrest Ciccoli, police say he fought with them and grabbed at Corporal Fischer’s gun, which was in the holster. Fischer was shot in the hip.
“He’s facing these injuries that will be with him the rest of his life,” said Steele.
Court documents show that Fischer applied his own tourniquet immediately after being shot. That, and the actions of his fellow officers, are likely what saved his life, officials say.
Ciccoli was also sentenced to two to four additional years on charges of disarming a police officer.
“I just know in my heart he didn’t do it. He didn’t shoot the police officer. His DNA wasn’t on the gun,” said his mother, Diane Ciccoli, who added that her heart goes out to Corporal Fischer.
“I just feel so bad for his family. The day this happened, I called the next day to see if he was ok,” she said. “Everybody’s suffering in this: our family, his family. It’s terrible.”
“Certainly my client is disappointed with the verdict and the sentencing,” said Ciccoli’s defense attorney, Francis Genovese. “He maintains his innocence and intends to exercise his right to an appeal.”
Steele pointed to the strong evidence in the case, including the officer’s body camera footage, which was used in the trial.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, though, is pleased with the outcome. They hope it sends a message.
“I think it’s very important that everybody understand if you try to disarm a police officer, you’re going to jail,” said Steele. “If you shoot at a police officer, you’re going to jail for 20 years.”
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