Once on the ground, Lewis will be transferred to the custody of Philadelphia prison officials while the charges against him start making their way through the criminal-justice system.
Prosecutors have not decided whether they will seek the death penalty, said Cathie Abookire, spokeswoman for District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham.
Abookire said prosecutors believed that the shooting involved two "aggravating factors" needed under state law to ask a jury to condemn a defendant to death: killing a police officer who was performing his duty and killing during a felony.
Lewis, a baby-faced man who stands 6 feet and weighs 270 pounds, is accused of shooting Cassidy, 54, when the 25-year veteran officer walked in on a morning robbery at the Dunkin' Donuts on Broad Street in West Oak Lane.
On Saturday, after police announced that Lewis was wanted in the shooting and published his photograph, he fled the city.
Authorities allege that a cousin, Hakim Glover, 29, of North Philadelphia, drove Lewis to Wilmington on Saturday and bought him a bus ticket to Miami.
Lewis' freedom was short-lived. After his 30-hour bus ride ended at the Greyhound terminal in Miami at 10:45 p.m. Sunday, the fugitive made his way 10 blocks to a homeless men's shelter by Monday afternoon.
By 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, he was in the custody of Miami police after an alert staffer at the Miami Rescue Mission recognized Lewis from television news and called 911.
Lewis, also known as John Lewis and Lewis Jordan, confessed to Philadelphia detectives Tuesday. He confirmed that to reporters that night, apologizing to Cassidy's family.
Also Tuesday, police in Philadelphia charged Glover with obstruction of justice and hindering arrest; he, too, is being held without bail.
The way was cleared for Lewis' return after he waived extradition and Philadelphia detectives wrapped up their investigation yesterday, interviewing Miami residents who had contact with the suspect.
