Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Danny Dorrian Says Preppy Murder Experience Made Him Lie To Cops
By
Jen Chung
Published May 13, 2009
Modified May 13, 2009
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 May 13, 2009
Modified May 13, 2009
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
Danny Dorrian, who owned downtown bar The Falls, the last place 24-year-old John Jay College grad student Imette St. Guillen was seen, testified that he lied to police who were investigating St. Guillen's murder because he remembered how his family was treated during the Preppy Murder: "I could just imagine the repercussions it would set off -- lawsuits, police, bad press. If I pretended it didn't happen, maybe it wouldn't be true. I didn't believe it was true."
A bouncer at The Falls, Darryl Littlejohn, is on trial for St. Guillen's murder. A day after she was missing, St. Guillen's naked body was found raped, beaten and wrapped in a comforter, dumped off the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. The cops headed to The Falls to talk to Dorrian; the Daily News reports, "Danny Dorrian admitted telling cops he didn't remember St. Guillen...after leaving his bar, The Falls, on Feb. 25, 2006. He also conveniently failed to mention that ex-con bouncer Darryl Littlejohn escorted her out of the joint and was the last one seen with the beauty. 'I told them certain things and I left certain things out,' Dorrian conceded." Dorrian had asked St. Guillen to leave because it was closing time—and asked Littlejohn to escort her from the premises.
Dorrian's family owns Dorrian's Red Hand on the Upper East Side, which is where Robert Chambers met Jennifer Levin in 1986 before killing her in Central Park. Dorrian testified that he decided to tell the truth a week later. According to the Post, he called his dad about the investigation, "It looks like there's a situation down at The Falls, and it looks pretty serious. A young lady was murdered, and I think the police should look at my doormen because they would be the last people to see her alive."
LIttlejohn's lawyers will cross-examine Dorrian today; in opening statements, defense lawyer Joyce David suggested Dorrian was the real killer and that Littlejohn was being framed because Dorrian's family is wealthy and connected (his brother-in-law is Rudy Giuliani adviser Anthony Carbonetti).
Tagged
danny dorrian
darryl littlejohn
imette st guillen
murder
Preppy Murder
The Falls
trial
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
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .