A STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF ARLENE, SEYMOUR AND MARTIN TANKLEFF
September 23, 2004

As the relatives of Seymour, Arlene and Marty Tankleff we are stunned, disappointed and outraged that the prosecutor was not disqualified. We don't understand this. The judge was wrong, legal experts think this decision is wrong and the public knows this is wrong.

How can DA Spota, the person who represented Todd Steuerman, a central figure in the conspiracy to murder Seymour and Arlene Tankleff, effectively and objectively investigate this case? How can DA Spota, who represented Detective McCready, who likely perjured himself at Marty Tankleff's murder trail, be allowed to continue in this case?

How can the DA who has intimidated our witnesses, released the names of confidential sources, and done everything to avoid facing up to the truth of Martin Tankleff's innocence be allowed to continue?

If we had an objective prosecutor, we wouldn't be here. Any unbiased, fair prosecutor would have agreed that in light of all of the new evidence, Marty should, at a minimum, be given a new trial.

An overwhelming amount of evidence of Marty's innocence has been presented in court, and based on this Marty must be set free.

Signed: Ronald & Carol Falbee, Marcella Alt Falbee, Marianne & Michael McClure, Norman & Ruth Tankleff, Autumn & Howard Asness, and their families.