A Queens man on trial for the beating death of a Chinese-food deliveryman took the witness stand yesterday, telling jurors cops forced him to sign a statement saying he took part in the 1999 murder – and alleging he has an alibi.
Conrad Marhone said detectives at the 103rd Precinct station house told him he had to sign a written statement implicating himself in the June 23, 1999, killing of Nan Chung Chueng – even though he claims he was home on the night of the murder.
The cops didn’t let Marhone read the confession or read him his rights before he signed it, the defendant said.
“If you don’t sign this, it’s a rap – we’re going to give you 25,” Marhone, 20, said the cops threatened. “I was scared . . . they verbally pushed me into signing.”
Prosecutors say the defendant fatally struck the hardworking immigrant in the head and chest with an aluminum baseball bat after he and three other teens lured Chueng, 54, to an abandoned Hollis house to steal an order of Chinese food.
Two alibi witnesses – Marhone’s mother and cousin – say the defendant was home on the night of the murder.