The Second Court of Appeals upheld Jesse Friedman’s conviction, but only because the habeas petition was filed too late. In a strongly worded opinion, the Court made clear that they felt a miscarriage of justice had occurred and were sharply critical of the police, the prosecution, and the trial judge. The Court suggested that the case should be reopened at the state level.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced that she will form a committee to re-examine the Friedman case.

“A prosecutor’s job is not to obtain convictions, but to obtain justice,” Rice said in a statement. “I cannot predict whether our investigation will corroborate the criminal case brought against Mr. Friedman more than two decades ago. What I can guarantee is that my investigation will be thorough and it will be fair.”

Jesse believes that it was the social science research that carried the day with the Court’s opinion. Jesse’s lawyer, Ron Kuby, emphatically agrees and has expressed his gratitude to the NCRJ. This research was provided to Mr. Kuby by journalist Debbie Nathan and NCRJ Director Emily Horowitz.

Here is the Article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/nyregion/17friedmans.html?_r=2&ref=nyregion

Here is the full decision: http://www.leagle.com/unsecure/page.htm?shortname=infco20100816067

Posted by rbchatelle on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 @ 6:29PM
Categories: Jesse Friedman
Tags: Newsroom

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