Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Postal Worker Patsy Finally Freed
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The wrongdoing by the alleged "mafia cops" - NYPD detectives who allegedly worked as mob hitmen - may have extended to their own detective work. Barry Gibbs, a former postal worker who had been accused, convicted, and imprisoned for 19 years for the murder of a prostitute, was set free because it turns out that then Detective Louis Eppolito had induced a witness into picking Barry Gibbs out of a line up, even though the man the witness had seen at the scene was smaller and shorter. Gibbs had maintained his innocence since his 1988 conviction, and contacted the Innocence Project for help. And when Eppolito, as well as partner Detective Stephen Caracappa, was indicted in March, attorney Barry Scheck recognized his name and went to the Brooklyn DA's office to relook at the case. And Newsday noted Gibbs' dining plans:
Gibbs, who is Jewish, told reporters he was hungry and wanted to go out and have a big lobster dinner.
"Traife!" said Scheck in mock horror, referring to the kosher prohibition on eating shellfish.
"You can always atone for your sins," Gibbs said with a smile.
The NY Times reports that when asked if he knew what a Starbucks was, Gibbs said, "I don't know what a cellphone is. I don't know what freedom is." It's pretty amazing, not to mention distressing, to read about; we hope there's a longer article, because there are facets we're wondering about, for instance, Gibbs had been selected out of a police line up...was he just randomly chosen for the police line up, or was he in the area?
Photograph from Newsday
Tagged
And Newsday
brooklyn
brooklyn da
crime
dining
innocence project
jen chung
kosher
Louis Eppolito
murder
News: NYC
ny times
nypd
police
starbucks
Stephen Caracappa
The NY
the ny times
The Police
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .