Marty Speaks Freely

Marty was busy preparing for his retrial yesterday when he learned that Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota was dropping the charges. Suddenly Marty was no longer preparing for retrial, and was free to speak openly. But he insisted on waiting until this morning, to give some key D.C. members of his defense team time to arrive.

Today, at a press conference at the New York offices of Baker Botts, Marty's attorney Steve Braga told the story of how he and Barry Pollack, now of Kelley Drye, were approached one day 12 years ago by an intern at the firm where they worked at the time. The intern, Laura Taichman, said she had gone to school and worked at a bagel shop with a guy who was wrongfully convicted for the murder of his parents. Braga and Pollack were intrigued enough to visit Marty Tankleff in prison in upstate New York, and after meeting him they were impressed with his character, convinced of his innocence, and determined to work for his freedom pro bono.

Standing beside Marty, Braga called today the greatest day of his legal career and gave credit to Jay Salpeter, Pollack, Barket and the entire team of lawyers, the rest of Team Tankleff and, of course, Marty's family. As Braga put it, "New people come on to Team Tankleff, but nobody ever leaves." But Braga saved his highest praise for Marty himself, for his persistence over the years, and for the letters that Marty wrote to anyone and everyone who might help him, estimated at 50,000 in all. Braga said he literally must have gotten a letter a day from Marty, and on days he didn't get a letter, he knew he'd get two the next day. Braga then raised the frightening prospect of email in the hands of Marty Tankleff, and cast doubt on the ability of the Internet's servers and routers to handle the bump in  traffic.

Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project spoke of the reforms Marty's case cries out for, including an Innocence Commission and a law requiring the recording of all interrogations. "This is a bill whose time has come. And it's going to be Marty Tankleff's case that gets it passed," Scheck said.

Before Marty spoke, we told the story of how shortly before the new evidence hearings in Suffolk County, a key witness for Marty, Karlene Kovacs, wrote a post on the Marty message board, wishing Marty luck and saying she couldn't wait to give him a big hug. Sure enough, the DA tried to use this against Marty, accusing Kovacs at the hearing of being a "member" of Marty's website, as if her reaction to Marty's plight ought to be any less human than anyone else's. Today, with the charges dropped, it was finally safe to hug Marty Tankleff, and that's what Kovacs, who was in attendance, did.

Then Marty spoke of "waking up as a free man, having a cup of coffee and watching the sun rise." He described his visit to his parents' graves. He spoke about going to law school and other "future things." He described going skiing with his family. When asked about his half-sister, Shari, he said, "Shari who?" When asked about his parents' murderers, he said he looked forward to the day they "stand in my shoes in prison for 20 years."

Before the press conference, Marty had put on a "Free Marty" button. He wore it well, the word "free" having turned from a verb into an adjective.

“It’s just been a long, long fight. I never gave up. They never gave up," Marty said, referring to his family, defense team and supporters. "I never lived in a prison. I resided there.”

   

Comments

[lacie]

Have fun skiing but dont break a leg ..you have been siting long enough!

[Dawn Dutra]

Enjoy your life from now on, Marty. You have earned it. I wish you all the happiness in life and that you will achieve all of your dreams. Good luck....and God Bless

[Robert L. Olson]

Don't downplay your part in all of this Doctor News! Lonny Soury has been publicly acknowledged as a pro bono public relations expert volunteering his time for Marty. And Lonny has done a great job. However, this is the first time many Long Islanders got a chance to see Eric "Rick" Friedman, the person known to everyone of Marty's supporters worldwide as Doctor News! I can't think of anyone I would want to advocate on behalf of me. Rick is being rather modest in not drawing attention to himself but for years now, Rich has managed to encapsulate tons of information in a very readable and understandable (very important to not very educate guys like me) format. This website has become almost a home to me and many all over the globe who visit it tens times a day, everyday for as long as it has been in existence. I really don't know what we are going to do with ourselves once it is finally shutdown, having accomplished its mission. I know I will certainly be looking forward to following Doctor News' next big mission from God.

[Kelly]

From Cablevision Editorials

January 4, 2008

A miscarriage of justice.

For seventeen years, supporters of Marty Tankleff have argued that point to all who would listen: to reporters, to state and federal courts, and to all those Long Islanders who logged into Tankleff's website to buy "Free Marty" t-shirts to aid in his defense.

And free Marty they did.

Recently, a state appellate court ruled that Tankleff should get a new trial, saying new evidence suggested others had killed Marty's parents in their Belle Terre home seventeen years ago, years that Marty Tankleff has spent behind bars.

All of this left Suffolk DA Tom Spota on the spot, criticized for how his office contested the new evidence. To his credit, Spota has asked Governor Spitzer to name a special prosecutor to handle the matter, and will soon dismiss all charges against Tankleff.

To celebrate, members of "Team Tankleff" gathered with Marty for a press conference. Praise is due to all: especially Bruce Barkett and his other pro-bono lawyers; his cousin, Ron Falbee; and Jay Salpeter, the private investigator who gathered such compelling evidence that it convinced the Appellate Division to order a new trial.

Their persistence has been rewarded. If there ever is another trial, they now know, it will involve other defendants.

My Response:

I definitely feel Marty was the scapegoat in the whole murder investigation of his parents with the REAL killers still out there. Marty's confession was coerced and unsigned by Marty and he has continuously professed his innocence.

I am happy his persistence of claiming his being innocent has paid off and charges against him have been dismissed by District Attorney Tom Spota.
Now, maybe they will be able to investigate , arrest , charge and place on trial the real killers who brutally murdered The Tankleff's. May justice be served upon them especially in light of all the new Evidence that was founded by Private Investigator Jay Salpeter.

Now Marty has the most difficult task in his life of trying to regain his life of years lost.

[Crystal Loggins]

wow! you look so unbelievably happy skiing! I am so very happy for you! Enjoy! Be safe.

[marc lerner]

Marty,I am so happy that the justice system finally came thru for you,as you and I know it is not always a justice system but rather a legal one!!! YOU will make a difference in the future for so many people!!!

My best to you and your new beautiful well deserved LIFE!!

Marc(Paul and Myra's son)

[Alex]

you were innocent from the start, they made a big fat mistake by accusing you . . . Welcome back home..Happy New Years God-bless you my friend a fellow Blogger

[Merry Borut (Matthew Boruts mom)]

Marty, I am very happy you are now able to begin your life as an innocent and free young man. Matt and I always knew you were innocent. You deserve a life of joy and happiness starting now and forever.

[Dana]

For you, 2008 holds even great things. What a wonderful, empowering and positive start to the new year - all I can say is FINALLY!! I wish you only the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and you adjust to this "new" life!
Keep believing!

[CeCe Faust]

What an incredible whisp of glory to be exhonerated so powerfully. As a law school hopeful myself, I say, "Here! Here!" I'm left inspired.

Take care.

[Kayla]

It is so great to see you smile and have fun. More good times to come !!! God bless and welcome home.

[ruth kling]

i have watched this case from day one...along with my interest in the case, i have been a lifelong friend of the tankleff family (marty's first cousin, autumn tankleff) and have waited impatiently for the day marty would be free and the true killers put behind bars....this travesty of justice is hopefully on the road to finding those criminals and also prosecuting the detective who falsely accused marty without ever making an effort to truly investigate this case....welcome home marty....enjoy the rest of your life surrounded by all those who love and care for you...and never faltering in their belief of your innocense

[lacie]

hey marty do u actually read this or is there another site YOU actually see yourself? want to talk to you..