Lawyers: Witnesses to 1993 slaying pressured by ex-NYC detective

YORK (AP) — A Brooklyn man convicted of a 1993 murder says in court papers his case’s sole eye witness was pressured by a scrutinized ex-detective.

Now attorneys for Shawn Williams want a new trial.

The New York Times reports the witness has recanted her original testimony in a court filing.

Witness Margaret Smith initially said she saw Williams with a gun in his waist from her sixth-story window. She now says she only said so because the investigator, Louis Scarcella, pressured her.

Prosecutors are reviewing nearly 60 of Scarcella’s cases amid allegations he intimidated suspects and forced confessions. Six of them have been overturned.

But prosecutors haven’t found he engaged in misconduct. And Scarcella denies any wrongdoing.

His lawyer tells the Times Williams’ new trial petition relies on inaccurate information.