Grid-kid ‘slayer’ framed: defense
Attorneys for a Brooklyn man facing retrial for the 15year-old murder of a college football player say they have unearthed more evidence that a former prosecutor framed their client.
Former prosecutor Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi wrote a letter of recommendation for a witness after he took the stand to finger John Giuca for the 2003 murder of 19year-old Mark Fisher, say newly filed court papers.
Giuca’s defense team now wants all documents related to Nicolazzi’s interactions with Albert Cleary, who testified at Giuca’s 2005 trial that Giuca ordered the hit.
Cleary told jurors Giuca handed a gun to Antonio Russo — who recently reportedly confessed to the slaying — and told him to show Fisher “what’s up” after the New Jersey teen sat on a table at a house party.
Giuca and Russo were convicted of second-degree murder, and the following February, Nicolazzi wrote a boilerplate letter of recommendation for Cleary.
“Mr. Cleary was a valuable prosecution witness and his testimony was crucial,” reads the Feb. 14, 2006, letter. “Although he originally struggled with the decision to cooperate, he realized he needed to start making decisions that were not only right, but best for his well-being.”
Giuca served more than 10 years in prison before an appeals court overturned his conviction in February. He remains behind bars, pending retrial.
Nicolazzi did not return a message, and the Brooklyn DA’s Office did not respond immediately to a call for comment.