CONTINUING COVERAGE

Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14.

'We all knew Burke did it:' Prosecution's star witness returns to the stand for trial of former Suffolk DA, top aide

A retired Suffolk police lieutenant took the stand for the third day Tuesday in the trial against former Suffolk District Attorney Tom Spota and his chief investigator.

News 12 Staff

Dec 3, 2019, 7:49 PM

Updated 1,612 days ago

Share:

A retired Suffolk police lieutenant took the stand for the third day Tuesday in the trial against former Suffolk District Attorney Tom Spota and his chief investigator.
Spota's defense attorney called into question the credibility of Lt. James Hickey, saying he lied under oath in a separate trial back in the 1990s.
The defense attorney then pointed out to the jurors that Hickey had lied to his wife for years about having extramarital affairs - four of them within seven to eight years. Hickey admitted to the jury he used cover stories to keep having multiple affairs.
As News 12 has reported, Hickey testified he had direct conversations and meetings with Spota and Christopher McPartland about covering up for former Police Chief James Burke, who had beat suspect Christopher Loeb in 2012 along with other Suffolk detectives. He is the only witness to testify he personally spoke to the two about the cover-up.
Hickey told the court, "I assumed Spota knew from Burke... because Spota knew. We all knew Burke did it. We were covering it up."
Spota and McPartland's defense attorneys' have maintained their clients did not obstruct justice, because they did not know that Burke had beaten Loeb.
Hickey had also testified that when Burke knew he was going to be arrested, he told him he was "willing to do three years, playing cards with mobsters."
The defense asked Hickey if he was testifying in hopes that he wouldn't get any jail time. He said "yes."
 
 


More from News 12
2:22
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

1:39
 Warm and dry temps for Connecticut; cooler weekend expected

Warm and dry temps for Connecticut; cooler weekend expected

2:30
I-95 oil tanker fire disrupts local traffic through Norwalk; detours, closures in place

I-95 oil tanker fire disrupts local traffic through Norwalk; detours, closures in place

11:58
Officials: Norwalk residents will be heavily impacted by I-95 tractor-trailer fire

Officials: Norwalk residents will be heavily impacted by I-95 tractor-trailer fire

3:14
Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

2:39
Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

  Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:14
Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

0:32
 Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:24
Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:39
Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

1:38
Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

1:48
Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency

Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency

1:54
Stamford’s BOE reinstates Columbus Day, Veterans Day in school holiday calendar

Stamford’s BOE reinstates Columbus Day, Veterans Day in school holiday calendar