Charles Uffelman, a 46-year-old off-duty Philadelphia police officer, was found dead on the sidewalk of Delaware Avenue in Philadelphia on October 13, 1978. His body showed signs of trauma and his blood alcohol content was reported at .18. Vomit was observed on the sidewalk nearby and on the cuff of his trousers, circumstances that led authorities to suspect foul play and open an investigation.

The primary suspect was 18-year-old Frederick Hammer, who was in Philadelphia that day for a carpentry job and had been hospitalized earlier after a scaffolding collapse. Prosecutors contended Hammer, stranded with little money, encountered Uffelman as the officer crouched to vomit and struck him over the head with a four-inch square, four-foot-long piece of lumber found nearby. Hammer was charged with third-degree murder.

The trial featured disputed courtroom conduct: the defense said the judge extensively questioned witnesses, including Hammer, and presented expert testimony to challenge the prosecution theory. Hammer was convicted but the conviction was later overturned on appeal and the case remanded for a new trial. Does anyone have information about Uffelman’s last movements that could shed light on what happened that night?