Martin Tankleff may not be off the hook just yet, as a new investigation into his parents? murder case has been ordered.

A judge was supposed to drop all charges against Tankleff at Friday?s hearing in Riverhead, but the new investigation by a special prosecutor may prevent this.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced last week that he wanted to put a special prosecutor on the case before Tankleff was cleared of all charges. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was appointed as special prosecutor. At the hearing Friday, Cuomo will ask the judge to keep the indictment against Tankleff open, instead of the charges against Tankleff being dropped.

Tankleff served 17 and a half years in prison for the 1988 murder of his parents. New witnesses came forward in December causing an appellate court to overturn Tankleff?s conviction. On Jan. 2, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said that too much time had elapsed to prosecute the case, and that they planned top drop all charges.

Former Nassau County prosecutor and well-respected defense attorney Stephen Scaring thinks it?s a good idea for a special prosecutor to become involved in the case. ?Somebody needs to clear the air around the Tankleff case,? Scaring said. ?There have been a lot of serious accusations that have been made regarding issues that go right to the heart of the criminal justice system. So I think it?s a good idea that somebody takes a good look at it.?

The special investigation could last several months.

Tankleff?s attorneys are trying to block television cameras in the courtroom during Friday?s hearing. News 12 Long Island will continue to cover the case regardless of whether or not cameras are allowed inside.

Related Information: