Town of Babylon supervisor testifies at Spota, McPartland trial

Jurors in the Thomas Spota/Christopher McPartland obstruction of justice trial heard Monday from Democratic Party boss Richard Schaffer, who is also the Town of Babylon supervisor and a longtime friend of the former Suffolk DA.

News 12 Staff

Nov 18, 2019, 4:45 PM

Updated 1,614 days ago

Share:

Jurors in the Thomas Spota/Christopher McPartland obstruction of justice trial heard Monday from Democratic Party boss Richard Schaffer, who is also the Town of Babylon supervisor and a longtime friend of the former Suffolk DA.
Spota and McPartland, his key investigator, are on trial in federal court. They are accused of covering up former Police Chief James Burke's beating of suspect Christopher Loeb.
Schaffer testified about the relationship between Burke and Spota.
He told the jurors that at one point, Burke broke down to him and admitted that he had beat Loeb. He also said he does not know if Burke told Spota or McPartland the same thing.
Schaffer says he does not believe Spota would risk his career to cover up for Burke.
The jurors also heard testimony from a retired Suffolk police sergeant who headed up multiple internal affairs investigations into Burke before he became police chief.
Through their attorneys, both Spota and McPartland have denied covering up for Burke, saying Burke never told either of them that he had beaten Loeb.
The trial is expected to last three more weeks.
 


More from News 12
0:28
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say

1:53
Rain, clouds followed by mild temps and clearer skies in Connecticut

Rain, clouds followed by mild temps and clearer skies in Connecticut

2:06
STORM Academy basketball coach recalls teen fatally shot in Bridgeport

STORM Academy basketball coach recalls teen fatally shot in Bridgeport

0:25
New Haven PD releases form to better serve individuals with disabilities during emergencies

New Haven PD releases form to better serve individuals with disabilities during emergencies

2:33
Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

Nearly 100-year-old time capsule discovered by Norwalk demo crew

2:25
CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

CT partnering with other states to regulate artificial intelligence

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:02
Broadway star takes over Fairfield SHU Community Theatre

Broadway star takes over Fairfield SHU Community Theatre

1:14
Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

Early morning fire displaces 5 people in Bridgeport

1:50
FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

FBI on alert for potential threats in Connecticut amid Middle East tensions

0:29
Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

Police: Ansonia man arrested for inappropriate messages to 13-year-old boy

0:21
Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

Officials probe suspicious death of Bridgeport man found in Massachusetts house

0:29
Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry stolen during smash-and-grab robbery at Trumbull Mall

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Connecticut tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:34
Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Bridgeport sexual assault survivor shares story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2:11
Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

2:27
17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

17-year-old dies from gunshot to head, becomes Bridgeport’s 4th homicide victim this year

2:17
Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary

Renters push for ban on 'no cause' evictions, but CT lawmakers are wary