‘Blood-curdling scream’ wakes up Philadelphia neighborhood; residents demand answers

A loudspeaker in a South Philadelphia neighborhood blasted mock screams as part of a test for a civil case against the city — a controversial move that left residents awake and terrified.

Locals were woken early Monday morning by a series of loud screams that echoed through the area.

Unaware that the screams were part of a test, the residents were filled with panic and fear.

“It was so disturbing, like really loud screaming,” said Rachel Robbins, a resident of South Philadelphia WPVI.

Resident Allison Sacks (left) called the scream “bloodcurdling.” Rachel Robbins, a neighbor, called the event “so disturbing”

“It was a bloodcurdling scream,” added Allison Sacks, a neighbor.

Sacks then noted that there was a series of “four or five” cries. She said the event lasted “a good hour.”

According to the city attorney’s office, the shouts were part of a thorough test in Termaine Hicks’ civil case.

In 2001, Hicks was convicted of rape at 15th and Mifflin streets.

He served 19 years for the crime until a judge vacated his conviction in 2020 in accordance with a request from the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

In 2001, Hicks was convicted of rape at 15th and Mifflin streets. DNA evidence later exonerated him

DNA evidence had shown that Hicks was not the rapist and there were many questions about whether or not the evidence had been planted.

“I sympathize with the plaintiff in this case,” Sacks said. “I think there are other ways to prove the case.”

The resident directed her frustration at the attorney who requested the test. Sacks said she was angry because the attorney “didn’t consider the impact this would have.”

Robbins noted that “there’s such a long list of reasons why it’s unethical.”

After receiving complaints from Robbins and other residents, the federal judge overseeing the case demanded an explanation.

Early Monday morning, local residents were awakened by a series of loud screams that echoed through the area

“I sympathize with the plaintiff in this case,” Sacks said

He ordered the plaintiff’s lawyers to show why they should conduct the shout test and why they should not be required to apologize to people nearby.

In an official statement to Action newsThe Philadelphia law firm – which had an attorney present for the sound test – said they would have sought an injunction to prevent it if they had known there would be fake shouting.

The statement added that the city had “limited control and advanced knowledge of the circumstances of the tests.”

It further noted that when the “city attorneys became aware of the use of simulated shouting sounds,” they “did not intervene because a necessary court order could not be obtained in the early morning.”

Neufeld Scheck Brustin Hoffman & Freudenberger, LLP, the New York law firm representing Hicks, released a statement apologizing to residents.

In an official statement to Action News, the Philadelphia law firm — which had an attorney present for the sound test — said they would have sought an injunction to prevent this if they had known it would involve fake shouting.

“We conducted a test in connection with an important civil rights case and did not intend to harm anyone,” the statement said.

“We understand why residents are upset, and we would like to sincerely apologize to the community and anyone affected by this.”

They continued: “We feel terrible about the negative impact on the community.”

But the law firm withheld further information about the test.

“We cannot discuss the details with more specificity given the ongoing litigation,” the statement concluded.