Accused cop killer Tyrone Howard conveniently found a religion that would get him out of his Friday court appearance — and avoid facing a bunch of police officers who came to stare him down.
“Mr. Howard is refusing to appear and now says he’s Muslim and will not come to court on Fridays,” said Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus.
Howard’s lawyer, Michael Hurwitz, claimed he had no clue about the conversion.
But The Post has learned that Howard, 31, isn’t exactly a devout follower of the faith.
Rather than attend the weekly Juma’h service for Muslim inmates at the Manhattan Detention Center, Howard instead was hanging out in the visitor center with friends and family, sources said.
He has also not registered his religious affiliation with the Department of Correction, the sources said.
On Friday morning, Howard disclosed his new religion as he refused to comply with guards at the The Tombs who wanted to bring him to the courthouse.
In court, several cops made “uch!” sounds from the gallery as Obus made the announcement.
“He’s a coward!” declared one officer as he and seven other cops exited the courtroom.
Howard is charged with murdering NYPD Officer Randolph Holder, 33, last Oct. 20 during a chase following a drug-related shootout in East Harlem.
As Holder and his partner Omar Wallace chased Howard down a ramp near the footbridge of the East River Promenade and 120th Street, Howard allegedly pulled out a .40-caliber Glock and shot Holder in the forehead.
Wallace returned fire, wounding Howard in the buttocks.
Howard, who has a rap sheet that includes 28 arrests, was already wanted in connection with a Sept. 1 shooting.
Howard, who is due back in court April 27, whined to cops following his arrest for the Holder slaying, “My life is ruined.”
The Department of Correction declined to comment on Howard’s conversion.