Jury convicts Pottstown man in shooting of police officer, acquits on attempted murder

A Pottstown man was acquitted of attempted murder of a police officer by a Montgomery County jury last week, but was convicted, however, on charges of assault of a law enforcement officer by firing a gun, aggravated assault of a police officer, disarming a police officer, and reckless endangerment.

William Ciccoli Jr., 42, showed no emotion on Thursday, according to The Reporter, as he was convicted on offenses that occurred in the afternoon of Nov. 15, 2024, when Pottstown Police Corporal Anthony Fischer, who suffered a gunshot wound to the upper thigh just below the hip during the altercation at a residence in the 200 block of Chestnut Street.

According to the report, Fischer, who is still recovering, was in court during the verdict, his eyes welling with tears as he left the courtroom hand-in-hand with his wife.

The verdict was handed down after 10 hours of deliberation over two days, per the report.

Under the acquittal, the jury believed Ciccoli did not have the specific intent to kill Fischer at the time of the shooting, per the report.

The assault by discharging a firearm charge alone carries a 20-year mandatory prison sentence. According to the article, an attempted murder charge carries a less severe sentence.

Judge Thomas M. DelRicci, who presided over the trial, deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigation report about Ciccoli, who will remain in jail without bail pending sentencing, per court documents.

District Attorney Kevin Steele emphasized the importance of the verdict, telling The Reporter, “This verdict by the jury is important in the system because police officers go into domestic calls and very difficult situations every day.”  Co-prosecutor Gabrielle Christine Hughes also called the verdict “significant,” noting that police officers face unknown dangers every day when responding to emergency calls, according to the report.

Corporal Fischer, who was shot with his own weapon during a struggle with Ciccoli, managed to handcuff the defendant and apply a tourniquet to his own leg, an act that officials say saved his life, according to testimony.

Steele described the ordeal as “a very difficult time for Corporal Fischer,” and noted the officer’s long-standing service to the Pottstown Police Department.

According to The Reporter, during the trial, prosecutors presented bodycam footage showing Ciccoli resisting arrest and grabbing Fischer’s holstered firearm, which discharged during the struggle. Fortunately, due to the holster’s triple-retention design, Ciccoli was unable to fully remove the weapon. He was eventually subdued by a Taser deployed by another officer, according to the article.

In addition to the charge involving the officer, the jury convicted Ciccoli of simple assault for attacking his girlfriend, although he was acquitted of strangulation.

Ciccoli called the verdict “unfair” and indicated plans to appeal.

His attorney, Francis Genovese, told The Reporter, “We’re grateful to the jury. They definitely took their time ... Certainly, we accept the decision that they made … a little disappointed with some of the charges that they found him guilty of.”

Ciccoli testified that he only intended to flee the scene, not to harm anyone.

At 2:40 p.m., Nov. 15, 2024, Pottstown Police were called to an apartment complex on the 200 block of Chestnut Street, for a disturbance, where they encountered Ciccoli and a victim, who had to be separated due to an altercation, authorities said.

Police intended to cite Ciccoli for harassment and criminal mischief via summons through the mail, police said.

Two hours later, police returned to the residence, and separated the two parties again, in order to ascertain what occurred, authorities said. Police observed swelling on the neck and cheek of the victim and Ciccoli was taken into custody for assault, per the report.

Ciccoli allegedly struggled with Fischer, who can be heard on body cam video saying, “He’s trying to get my gun.” Another officer tasered Ciccoli, and almost simultaneously, a gunshot was heard, authorities said.

Fischer was struck in the right hip with the bullet, police said. Body cam video shows Ciccoli with both hands on the officer’s gun before the gunshot, Steele said.

Officers administered lifesaving aid to Fischer, but he was taken to Reading Hospital Trauma Center where he underwent surgery.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.