The chair of Philadelphia’s police oversight body, Hassan Bennett, faces allegations of selling a witness’s name in an attempted murder case. Investigators claim Bennett provided this sensitive information to Thomas Scott, a prison inmate, who then threatened the witness.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Bennett shared details from the arrest report over prison calls. This report contained the witness’s full name, which Bennett allegedly provided to Scott.
Scott purportedly offered Bennett $500 for these details and disseminated the information to intimidate the witness. Recordings reveal Scott sought the witness’s location and desired the witness to retract their statement. He allegedly used social media posts with the intent to deter the witness from appearing in court.
Bennett, who chairs the Citizens Police Oversight Commission established after the 2020 protests, was previously convicted of second-degree murder in 2008. However, he was acquitted in a 2019 retrial when earlier testimonies were found to be coerced by a former detective.
Bennett and Scott both face felony charges, including intimidation of a witness/victim, conspiracy, and bribery.
Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith from the National Police Association commented on the incident, highlighting the importance of ethical standards for individuals with access to sensitive information.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner stated that while the charges against Bennett are serious, they do not reflect the overall work of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission or the Defender Association of Philadelphia. The commission has placed Bennett on leave, reiterating their commitment to maintaining police accountability and public trust.
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