A man was convicted Wednesday in Lancaster County Court of assaulting a pair of Lancaster city police officers – stabbing one of them - at a park in April.
A local jury convicted 25-year-old Brian Sanchez-Padilla of two felony counts of aggravated assault and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
Following a three-day trial, the jury deliberated about two hours before deciding the case Wednesday at 1:45 p.m.
The officers who were assaulted sat in the courtroom gallery and listened as the verdict was read.
County Judge Donald Totaro, who presided over the trial, will order sentence at a date to be determined.
First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen called witnesses, including the two officers, who testified of the assaults April 16 at Farnum Park on West Strawberry Street.
Sanchez-Padilla, who was approached because he appeared to be living at the park, punched and stabbed a male officer in the face and drove a female officer’s head into the ground.
"The men and women who serve our community as police officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe," Larsen said after the verdict. "This case highlights the dangers they face."
The officers were treated at an area hospital.
"The jury by its verdict recognized the danger posed to these officers by the defendant’s vicious assault, and as a result of the jury’s wisdom, the defendant will not be able to harm any other officers for a long time," Larsen said.
Lancaster city police Lt. Philip Berkheiser filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright