Edward F. McCann Jr., a local prosecutor who supervised a controversial investigation of the Nizah Morris incident, has resigned.
On Nov. 23, McCann resigned as first assistant district attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, after working there for 26 years. He couldn’t be reached for comment.
Morris was a transgender woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after a “courtesy ride” from Philadelphia police. Her homicide remains unsolved.
In response to public concerns about Morris’ death, McCann supervised an investigation at the D.A.’s Office in 2003. The probe cleared police of any criminal wrongdoing in the Morris incident.
McCann claimed the probe was thorough, but it was blasted by the city’s Police Advisory Commission as “appalling.” Over the years, McCann has consistently opposed transparency in the Morris case.
In 2010, in an open-records case filed by PGN, McCann submitted a five-page affidavit, arguing against the release of 911 recordings pertaining to the Morris incident.
In announcing McCann’s resignation, D.A. Seth Williams praised his contributions.
“Ed was instrumental in helping the office institute many of the reforms of which we are all proud of and spent 26 years in this office as a trusted advisor and terrific prosecutor,” Williams said in a press release. “The City of Philadelphia is a safer place because of the extraordinary service, hard work and commitment of Ed McCann.”
McCann will be replaced by George D. Mosee Jr., the head of the office’s juvenile division.
According to published reports, McCann was among the city’s highest-paid workers, receiving an annual salary of $173,561.