An ex-con on trial for the murder of an 81-year-old Frum Jewish man in his Washington Heights apartment building testified that cops bullied him into falsely confessing.
William Hill, 26, told a Manhattan jury he did not kill frail Jacob Gerstle HYD and said he confessed only after cops “roughed me up” and promised to let him go.
“They promised me my freedom,” Hill said when asked by prosecutor Alfred Peterson why he confessed in a written statement and on videotape to a brutal murder he did not commit.
“Who in their right mind would confess to a murder, even if they committed it?” Hill asked.
The defendant insisted his statements were detailed – down to the color of his victim’s suit – because detectives “drilled” the confession into him.
The hulking, 6-foot-7 Hill faces murder and robbery charges for the May 2, 2006, beating death of the 5-foot-3 Gerstle. Hill is charged with stealing Gerstle’s cell phone and $250 in cash.
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Message from the Breuer’s community:
There will not be a session Thursday afternoon, Jan 31, nor Friday, Feb 1. The trial of the defendant in the murder of Mr. Jack Gerstle z.l. (beaten to death May 2, 2006 in 105 Bennett Ave) will resume 10:30 AM Monday, Feb 4. We have been advised that it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for the prosecution that our community attends the ongoing trial and have been asked to strongly URGE EVERYONE to make an effort to attend, even if only part of the day.
You can take the A train to Chambers St. (second last car). The trial is at Criminal Court, 100 Centre St, 15th floor, courtroom 58. We thank you for the outpouring of support.
Added note:
Please let’s pack the court room on Monday morning when the trial will go to the jury. They need to see how much we care. The defendant committed several similar crimes in the community before he killed Mr. Gerstle. We can not let him get away free. Please make every effort to attend, even if only for a short time, if you work nearby or have some free time available.
BTW, Mr. Gerstle, Z”L, was NOT a frail man at all. The murderer is a 6 foot 7 huge guy. Very few people, frail or not, would stand a chance after being whacked from a person of that stature.
NYC: Murderer Of Frum Man Claims Cops Forced Him To Confess Falsely
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::sigh::
Alleged Murderer…Alleged.
How would you feel if the press treated a Jewish person on trial like this?
And how would you feel if the same person committed the same crime a few times in your neighborhood (attacking elderly people – many landing up in the hospital) for money and the cops don’t pick him up until he murders your neighbor? They have video surveillance of him coming in and out of the building before and after the murder, of him following Mr. Gerstle into the elevator, and of him walking up the block after one of the other attacks. He was ID’d by his friends/family who turned him into the cops. He confessed (without any force) and has sat in jail previously for other crimes (which is why he hadn’t hurt anyone in the neighborhood for nine months prior to killing Mr. Gerstle – he was in jail for that time – as soon as he came out, he was back to his ways). If he goes free, please invite him to live in YOUR neighborhood.
>>”They promised me my freedom,” Hill said.
Let me get this straight, the cops told him if he admitted killing Gerstle, they would let him walk out the door??? So he admitted it? And if the confession is on video tape, the offer to let him go has to be on video tape too.
We’re supposed to believe that?? Sounds like he’s preparing for the insanity defense.
As someone who has attended portions of this trial, I’d like to make the following comments, suggestions. All persons should sit on ONE side of courtroom behind prosecutor so it is apparent that defendant has ABSOLUTELY NO ONE in his corner; and our attendees will look more numerous!
If anyone (possibly a family member) has access to
prosecutor, maybe it can be suggested that he spells things out clearly for jury; some may not “chaap” the point that is being made.
Possibly the prosecutor can ask Mr. Hill, if he was so hungry that he had to rob Mr. Gerstle, why
didn’t he just ASK for food since Mr. Gerstle ran
a food pantry for the needy. WHAT IRONY!!! tHIS
would point out the goodness of Mr. Gerstle Z”L
in contrast to the evil of his murderer.
THIS FIEND MURDERED ONE OF OUR FINEST MENTCHEN AND WE ALL FEEL THE LOSS! A BAAL CHESSED,A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY MURDERED IN HIS APT BLDNG.THE CRIMINAL ATTEMPTED THE SAME ACT AGAINST SEVERAL OTHER GENTLEMEN OUR LIVES ARE NOT CHEAP!
doesnt seem like they have strong evidence against him.if the friends id’d him where are they now.no dna if the crime doenst fit u must acquit.
it doesnt make the man guilty simply beacause alot of people show up to support prosecutors
its sad the man survived the holocaust and dies like this
if anybody attended the proceedings today please keep me informed on the latest.no way i would confess to something i didnt do.they would have to beat me to death.i dont see this trial lasting very long.