A former postal worker who spent 18 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit won the largest personal settlement the city has ever agreed to pay: $9.9 million. Thanks to the Innocence Project, Barry Gibbs was set free in 2005 after prosecutors' key witness admitted that Detective Louis Eppolito had forced him pick Gibbs out of a line up, even though the man he'd seen was smaller and shorter. Eppolito and his partner Stephen Caracappa are in prison for life for taking part in mob-related killings and doing other dirty work for the Luchese crime family. more ›

Louis Eppolito and Steven Caracappa, two decorated NYPD detective who were found guilty of racketeering as they moonlighted as hitmen and informants for the Luchese crime family, were sentenced to life in prison yesterday. And the racketeering charges cover "eight murders, kidnapping, drug dealing and obstruction of justice." Judge Jack Weinstein said, "This is probably the most heinous series of crimes ever tried in this courthouse," but is delaying sentencing to see if Eppolito and Caracappa need new trials - both detectives claimed they received ineffective defense. Hmm, they did have two high-profile criminal defense attorneys, but maybe Eppolito's defense lawyer, Bruce Cutler (whom Eppolito later fired), took his "bebopping" during the closing too far. more ›

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The first day of the trial of retired NYPD detectives turned possible mob hit men was full of screaming as the prosecution presented its first witnesses and the defense went to town. The one witness in the case against Louis Eppolito and Steven Caracappa, who the feds say would kill people for the mob at $65,000 a pop (plus they got a $4,000 monthly retainer), was the mother of a Brooklyn's Nicholas Guido who was killed in his driveway in a case of mistaken identity - Eppolito and Caracappa gave Luchese family hit men the wrong address for a hit on Christmas Day, and the Post used the photograph for its cover. Eppolito's lawyer, Bruce Cutler, went after a former mobster turned government witnesses, and criticized them, saying, "They called each other tough guys, goodfellas - until the jail door shut. Then they wet their pants and called Mommy - the government." more ›

The two former NYPD detectives accused of being hitmen for the mafia were released yesterday on bail. Louis Eppolito and Steven Caracappa were released on $5 million bail each after months on jail; a Federal Court judge granted bail, saying the prosecution's case was "weak." The two man have repeatedly expressed their innocence. Eppolito showed off his house arrest ankle bracelet, making Gothamist wonder if mandals are standard 57 year-old man foot wear. He also told reporters, "I want Chinese food. I want pizza. I want a dish of macaroni. I want some salad. I want some broccoli." Ah, the diet of the accused! more ›