John Restivo seeks justice for other wrongfully convicted individuals serving time

A wrongfully convicted man says he's worried about other cases that may have been botched. John Restivo has maintained his innocence for decades, saying Nassau police framed him for the 1984 rape and

News 12 Staff

Apr 19, 2014, 1:40 AM

Updated 3,666 days ago

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John Restivo seeks justice for other wrongfully convicted individuals serving time
A wrongfully convicted man says he's worried about other cases that may have been botched.
John Restivo has maintained his innocence for decades, saying Nassau police framed him for the 1984 rape and murder of Lynbrook teen Theresa Fusco. He served more than 17 years behind bars before his conviction was overturned.
Restivo says the entire ordeal has damaged his life, and he is now demanding the Nassau district attorney's office review all the cases handled by the detectives who worked his case.
"There's no doubt in my mind that there are people in the penitentiary today that don't belong there," said Restivo.
Restivo and two other men were released from jail in 2003 after DNA evidence was retested and showed a fourth unknown man may have raped Fusco. A jury recently awarded him $18 million, saying his civil rights were violated.
Fusco's mother says she still believes Restivo and the others are guilty, and vows to continue fighting for an appeal.


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