YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn man convicted of a 1993 murder says in court papers his case’s sole eye witness was pressured by a scrutinized ex-detective.
Now attorneys for Shawn Williams want a new trial.
The New York Times reports the witness has recanted her original testimony in a court filing.
Witness Margaret Smith initially said she saw Williams with a gun in his waist from her sixth-story window. She now says she only said so because the investigator, Louis Scarcella, pressured her.
Prosecutors are reviewing nearly 60 of Scarcella’s cases amid allegations he intimidated suspects and forced confessions. Six of them have been overturned.
But prosecutors haven’t found he engaged in misconduct. And Scarcella denies any wrongdoing.
His lawyer tells the Times Williams’ new trial petition relies on inaccurate information.
- Posted January 04, 2017
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Lawyers: Witnesses to 1993 slaying pressured by ex-NYC detective
headlines Macomb
- Fall family fun
- MDHHS announces enhancements to improve substance use disorder treatment access
- Levin Center looks at congressional investigation of torture and mistreatment of war detainees
- State Unemployment Insurance Agency provides tips on how to stop criminals from stealing benefits
- Supreme Court leaves in place Alaska campaign disclosure rules voters approved in 2020
headlines National
- Professional success is not achieved through participation trophies
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- ‘Jailbreak: Love on the Run’ misses chance to examine staff sexual misconduct at detention centers
- Utah considers allowing law grads to choose apprenticeship rather than bar exam
- Can lawyers hold doctors accountable for wasting our time?
- Lawyer suspended after arguing cocaine enhanced his cognition
