A Bronx judge sentenced former a former NYPD detective to four months behind bars for committing perjury during the attempted murder trial of a man he had arrested.
State Supreme Court Justice James Kindler sentenced Christopher Perino to five years probation on each of the three felony counts of first degree perjury and three years probation on less charges. Perino will serve simultaneous terms of four months in jail.
Perino perjured himself at an attempted murder trial for a 2005 Bronx shooting.Erik Crespo was charged with attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges. The trial took place in April 2007.
The detective conducted an interview with Crespo at the 44th Precinct on December 31, 2005 without a defense lawyer present.The judge found that Perino lied under oath responding to cross-examination question Crespo’s defense attorney asked.
Perino was asked in a 2007 trial whether he interviewed Crespo without a lawyer present. The ex-detective answered no, perjuring himself.
Crespo had recorded the interview in its entirety on an MP3 player he was listening to before coming into the precinct. The recording lasted an hour and 15 minutes and was entered into evidence.
Detective Perino damaged case with his false testimony, but Crespo was still sentenced to 7 years behind bar following his guilty plea to the charges.
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“The only one who is getting hurt because of the perjury that has taken place was the defendant and his family,” Mr. Kartagener said, the New York Times CityRoom Blog reported.
“This defendant still doesn’t get what he did, that he perjured himself during a trial at Bronx Supreme Court,” said Lawrence Harstein, the prosecutor, according to City Room. “He still maintains he did nothing wrong. He still doesn’t recognize or show any remorse for what he did.”
The judge allowed Perino to remain free on $15,000 personal recognizance bond while his appeal is pending. The detective was convicted on three charges of perjury in June. Each charge carries a maximum of seven years.
