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NY Prosecutor Fired During Murder Trial, Defendant's Charges Dismissed

A murder charge was dismissed against a Long Island man mid-trial after Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota fired the prosecuting attorney for misconduct.

Newsday reports the trial of Messiah Booker was stopped during a hearing Tuesday in which the defense attorney detailed dozens of instances of evidence withheld by Assistant District Attorney Glenn Kurtzrock, who was then replaced.

Booker instead pleaded guilty to attempted burglary. The 32-year-old Farmingdale man had been accused of murdering a man during a home invasion burglary.

Defense attorney Brendan Ahern said there were gaps in detective notes handed over as required for trial. He said the prosecutor withheld evidence that a least two other men might have been responsible for the killing.

A spokesman for the district attorney's office called Kurtzrock's conduct "inexcusable."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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