From: "Dave Ings" 

There's a statute of limitations on murder charges in New York state? If
so, for goodness' sake why? Too weird ... maybe Gary can explain how this
can be ... so as a consequence two people who grievously betrayed their
public trust walk free?

http://tinyurl.com/ebdnc

NEW YORK (AP) -- A judge on Friday threw out a racketeering murder
conviction against two detectives accused of moonlighting as hitmen for the
mob, saying the statute of limitations had expired on the slayings. U.S.
District Judge Jack Weinstein also granted a new trial to the defendants,
Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, on money laundering and drug charges.

Defense attorneys had argued that the five-year statute of limitations had
expired on the most serious allegations against the pair -- that they
committed or facilitated eight killings between 1986 and 1990 while on the
payroll of both the New York Police Department and Luchese crime family
underboss Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso.



"The evidence at trial overwhelmingly established the defendants'
participation in a large number of heinous and violent crimes," he
wrote. "Nevertheless an extended trial, evidentiary hearings,
briefings and argument establishes that the five-year statute of
limitations mandates granting the defendants a judgment of acquittal on the
key charge against them -- racketeering conspiracy."
--
Regards,
Dave Ings,
Toronto, Canada

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