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Read the press release here.

Panel to Review Old Cases of Detective Under Investigation

  A 12-member panel will review the trial convictions involving Detective Louis Scarcella, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney.
 A 12-member panel will review the trial convictions involving Detective Louis Scarcella, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney.
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BROOKLYN — An independent panel will review the integrity of jury trial convictions involving a former dectective based on "allegations of impropriety," the Kings County District Attorney announced, in a press release, Monday.

Louis Scarcella was investigated after the 1991 murder conviction of David Ranta was vacated earlier this year, based on findings, D.A. Charles Hynes announced.

Scarcella, 61, was a member of the Brooklyn North Homicide Squad who retired in 1999. He was investigated after a review of his cases by the New York Times discovered that all of the confessions he was supposed to have elicited shared a similarity in wording.

With his credibility in question, the D.A. is now investigating 40 convictions involving Scarcella's work from the 1980s and 1990s, with 50 defendants, according to the press release.

The panel will include former federal and New York State judges, academics and attorneys.

“Each member brings with them a wealth of legal knowledge, practical experience and exceptional judgment that will be vital as we dissect old homicide cases. I believe their diverse backgrounds will allow the public to have trust in our review of these cases and will foster greater trust in the criminal justice system,” Hynes said, in a press release.