Legal Commentary

New Trial for Marty Tankleff

By Jami Floyd

After 17 years in prison, Marty Tankleff has won a new trial.  Yesterday, an appellate court vacated his sentence, imposed in 1990 after Tankleff was convicted of the brutal murder of his parents.  Shortly after his parents were found butchered in their Long Island home, Marty was subjected to hours of isolation and manipulative interrogation.  Ultimately Marty, just 17 years old at the time, made admissions used against him at trial, even though he had immediatley recanted. 

Word of the new trial grant has spread quickly amongst his supporters, lawyers, investigators, journalists and others, even before the Courts decision was made public.  Team Tankleff has worked tirelessly for the better part of a decade to secure his release. They are elated.  But they also know the fight isn't over.  Next comes a bail hearing.  And the Suffolk County DA has said he will appeal the decision.

I visited Marty Tankleff in prison last month, to decide for myself whether or not he was guilty. I have studied the case for years and had decided long ago that the prosecution was dirty.  But I learned in practice that the only true way to tell if a man is innocent is to look him in the eye.  A guilty person can fool you. But an innocent person never can.  Marty Tankleff is one of those: Innocent.  Now, he should be freed.

JFlo

Full post as published by Jami Floyd: Best Defense on December 22, 2007 (boomark / email).