An ex-cop sentenced to probation for joining the “blue wall of silence” that surrounded the Abner Louima attack claims the feds broke a promise not to prosecute him – and came to court yesterday to try to clear his name.
Four defense lawyers testified that Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Palmer said she’d “go to bat” for Francisco Rosario if he told the truth in 1997 – and were outraged when the officer was arrested.
Palmer “led me to believe – and I use her words – she had ‘a lot of juice with the Police Department,'” said Charles Hochbaum, Rosario’s former lawyer.
Hochbaum said he encouraged the ex-cop to talk to the feds based on an understanding that they would help him – possibly even to keep his job – although there was no written immunity agreement and Palmer never used the words “will not prosecute.”
But the U.S. Attorney’s Office denies making any deals and said Rosario lied repeatedly.
Last month, a federal appeals panel ordered the new hearing for Rosario to determine whether the ex-cop had been offered an immunity deal.
His conviction for conspiracy and for making false statements could be overturned, depending on how Brooklyn federal Judge Reena Raggi rules following this week’s proceedings.
Rosario admits he fibbed in September 1997 when he denied being near the cellblock where Louima was held after he’d been sodomized in the bathroom of the 70th Precinct station house.
But even after Rosario came clean two months later, prosecutors still weren’t satisfied, appeals lawyer Richard Ware Levitt said.