Man charged in McKeesport police officer shooting denied bond

The man accused of shooting a McKeesport police officer last month was denied bond on Tuesday.

During a hearing, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Borkowski said there were no conditions that could guarantee suspect Koby Lee Francis would appear in court.

Francis, 22, of McKeesport, is charged with attempted homicide; aggravated assault; person not to possess a firearm; flight to avoid apprehension and escape.

He was accused of shooting Officer Geriasimo Athans, 32, outside the McKeesport police station on Dec. 20 after Athans had taken him into custody for violating a protection from abuse order that had been served on him a little more than an hour earlier.

Although Francis had been searched, investigators said, he was able to conceal a revolver.

As Athans attempted to get Francis out of the backseat of the patrol car, Francis, who had been initially handcuffed with his hands behind his back, used the revolver to fire at Athans, police said. He was seen running away on surveillance video with his hands cuffed in front of him.

Athans, who was shot three times in his neck and torso, returned fire as the suspect fled.

Francis was arrested nine days later at a Clarksburg, W.Va. apartment complex.

He was extradited to Allegheny County and initially denied bond. Pre-trial services made a request for bail to be formally denied, given the circumstances of the case. Francis has four previous convictions, including three felonies and one misdemeanor.

“Given his history of failing to appear; disregard of the PFA and the incident itself and flight thereafter, no condition or set of conditions would guarantee his appearance,” Borkowski said.

There was no argument by the defense or prosecution.