After 23 years: Killer of the gabbai was released

Embarrassment to law enforcement Brooklyn: After 23 years, David Ratna, the murderer of Rabbi Yechezkel Werzberger hy"d, gabbai of the Satmar Rebbe of blessed memory, will be set free. This came after an investigation revealed contradictions and fabrications of evidence that led to his conviction.

Ratna was arrested in 1990 after a long chase police held after him. He is suspected in the murder of Rabbi Werzberger, who was the gabbai of the Satmar Rebbe. The results of the investigation then showed, Ratna fired one shot at the head of Werzberger thus causing his death.

The shocking case drew attention at the time of the American media, who saw engaged in the case. 40 detectives searched for days for the murderer. During the investigation, one main suspect was killed in a car accident, which occurred as a result of police chase after him. After a few weeks, police caught Ratna, and threw the blame on him.

There were doubts in the case held against him: Four out of five witnesses identified him in a lineup conducted by the police, further evidence was given later in doubt - after one of the witnesses said that Ratna is not the man who tried to rob Rabbi Werzberger.

Nevertheless, Ratna himself confessed to the murder, and was sentenced to heavy prison sentence.

In 1996 further evidence was published which casts doubt on the conviction and arrest of Brant. The suspect's wife, who the police chased and was killed, revealed details of the murder, which allegedly her husband told her before the chase. Even then, law enforcement, especially in Brooklyn prosecutor's office refused to set aside the judgment of Ratna, because even in her testimony were many question marks.

Latest breakthrough, which led to the decision on the release of Brant, was when the Ministry of claims recently received an appeal from one of the departments, with a request to check several cases where evidence was discovered as problematic, and thus paved the way of Ratna outside the cell.

Today (Thursday) he was expected to appear before the Supreme Court - to sign the final release.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!