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Man Convicted of Killing Rabbi Released from Prison After 23 Years Suffers Heart Attack

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A Brooklyn jewelry robbery gone awry that resulted in the 1990 murder of Rabbi Chaskel Werzberger is back in the news after the man convicted of the crime was released on March 21.  David Ranta, who was convicted of the murder, was found not guilty by the Brooklyn Supreme Court.  The Brooklyn DA’s conviction integrity unit handled the yearlong investigation into Ranta’s conviction and prosecution.

“It was a cumulative effect of the recanting by witnesses and the going over of the trial transcripts and interviewing other people involved in the case,” said DA spokesman Jerry Schmetterer, adding that the recanted testimony of a convicted rapist played a large part.

The Satmar Hassidic community of Williamsburg, Brooklyn was heartsick following Rabbi Chaskel’s murder in February 1990.  News of Ranta’s release does not sit well with the murdered rabbi’s family.  “That is just unbelievable that now a botched robbery and a murder becomes a botched prosecution,” said one family member.

The suspect tried to rob a diamond courier, who escaped unharmed.  At the same time, Rabbi Werzburger was getting into his car when the suspect pulled him out, shot him in the head, and drove away.  A jury convicted Ranta, who fit the suspect’s description, even though there was no physical evidence.

“They used perjured testimony, it was clear,” said defense attorney Michael Baum.  “They used a parade of crackheads and thieves who came forward and said whatever they had to say to get out from their own predicament.”

Prosecutors believe that the real killer died in a car accident two months following the rabbi’s murder.

Ranta, 58, suffered a heart attack just two days after his release.  He was treated at a New York hospital and is expected to recover.

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