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July 1, 2008
Posted: 01:47 PM ET

NEW YORK – Marty Tankleff is finally free and clear of the murders of his parents in Long Island, New York. Marty was arrested the very morning he was to begin his senior year in high school. He was 17-years-old, the year was 1988. A gallon of gas cost just about a dollar. A movie ticket 5.50. There were no PCs, no cell phones.

The world has changed a lot. But one thing hasn’t. We still don’t know who killed Seymour and Arlene Tankleff. We don’t know because the district attorney doesn’t want to know, hasn’t bothered to look in the obvious places. A cursory reading of the facts points to the company Marty’s father kept.

Leads are there to follow. But the D.A. never has because they don’t want to own up to their miscarriage of justice – a case and a conviction based on a false confession from a boy whose parents had just been murdered.

–Jami Floyd, In Session anchor

Filed under: Jami Floyd • Last Word


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Sherry Hasha   July 1st, 2008 2:49 pm ET

I am so happy for Marty and his family. I have followed his saga for many years and every time I saw something on the case I always watched it. Even me, a lay person knew Marty wasn’t guilty, how can that D.A. sleep at night knowing there is a murderer out there, and not Marty, who has been free all these years? I do hope Marty does get some sort of compensation for the years he served as an iniocent man. Yea, Marty, I know the years were long, but the scriptue says, “Thoes That Wait Upon The Lord Will Mount Up On Wings Of Eagles” Sincerely, Sherry Hasha- Abilene, Texas

Jonnathon Grimmett   July 2nd, 2008 12:02 am ET

The movie Australia should be boycotted by all americans… why you ask because evertime an Australian calls an American a”Yank” which is short for “septic tank” as the “Aussie’s ” say all americans are full of sh#t. I have been here ten years with no way out and I have been abused at the hands of australian police and private citizens and furthermore News broadcasters like the ABC encourage anti american sentiment. Americans shouldn’t visit Australia, they shouldn’t support Australia Americans should treat Australians with total diregard and leave them in the outback they so fondly love.
If Obama wants to do something for America he should publicly denounce any relations between America and Australia. the amount of anti american sentiment bred by the Australian Government has grown in Australia since Kevin Rudd entered the Prime Ministers role. I shouldn’t have to be afraid to say I am American but here in Australia I am.

Lynn   July 2nd, 2008 12:09 am ET

I agree! I watched this case get profiled on 48 Hours and on another show, and it just seems that the DA in this case can’t and won’t admit the they prosecuted the wrong person. It seemed his business partner, who really seemed to gain the most, was ruled out early.

I often wonder why DA’s can NEVER admit the made a mistake, even when it’s glaringly obvious!

I’m glad he’s finally out.

S.B.   July 2nd, 2008 7:28 am ET

I think it is about time for Marty Tankleff. There were just too many discrepancies in this case and I feel that too many investigators are not wanting to look at other possibilities.

Makes you wonder just how many other people are incarcerated because of situations like this.

Klaatu   July 2nd, 2008 10:45 am ET

omg….IM SO HAPPY FOR MR TANKLEFF…MY HUSBAND AND I SAW THIS SHOW ABOUT TWO YEARS OR MORE AGO, AND I WASNT BELIEVING HE DID IT THEM….SOMEONE NEEDS TO WRITE HIM A BIG CHECK..AND THE COPS ARE, AS USUAL, STUPID AND HATEFUL AND DONT REALLY CARE OF THEY GET THE RIGHT PERSON, JUST ANYONE WILL DO…

KAREN

Karen   July 2nd, 2008 1:38 pm ET

Wow! I hoinestly never thought I would hear of the day when Marty would be released. Will he be able to sue the DA’s office? Did he finish his schooling? What are his plans? I will have to research more on this. I am happy for him, but too little too late. The DA should be ashamed.

Catilyn   July 2nd, 2008 2:15 pm ET

The DA will never investigate because he would be admitting that his office and the police bolched the whole investigation and trial. To much egg on their face. If they admit to miss handling and the fact they were wrong major law suit

Rhonda   July 3rd, 2008 1:33 am ET

Thank-GOD, he’s out, that’s not enough the partner, the officer that was invloved with Marty’s sister or her husband, where are they? I remember this case like yesterday, and I’m not even close to the family!!! I also recall when Beth and the investigator his name escapes me right now. They to me along with the real facts about the murders of his parents has really alarmed me. His sister pointed her finger so fast that I always felt, she knew or knows who is REALLY the murderers!!!! To you Jami and everyone else that fought for JUSTICE, Thank-You, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!! Continue the cause even when it seems hopeless and great will be your reward!!!!

ron   July 3rd, 2008 9:40 am ET

I agree with Jami 100%. Very well said.

Sue   July 3rd, 2008 9:44 am ET

Jamie: This is why I don’t watch your program. I was living on LI when this happened and I still think he was involved. But to Jamie Floyd there are not criminals that should be in prison. Please do not do your political remarks all the time. We are not asking for you views on politics. You are ofcourse a left leaning liberal with a microphone.

jon   July 3rd, 2008 10:41 am ET

thats sad when the law coaches a 17 year old boy to telling them he killed his parents thats sad day in the justice system and it happens alot. do think they turn on the video in the coaching room.

chris wolf   July 3rd, 2008 2:54 pm ET

He doesn’t take “physical” notes. Rather, he takes “mental notes” then “types them up later.” Oh-K!!! I told Lisa on Monday to get some white people on trial, and now do you see why? OMG, I am sooo JK, Ron! (I lived in NYC and listened to you and Curtis when you were talking, ha)

PubDef   July 4th, 2008 12:51 pm ET

I join you in celebrating Tankleff’s freedom, but “no PCs” in 1988? I think you need to check your facts on that.

Kristi   July 6th, 2008 7:04 am ET

Finally-I have read about this case for a long, long time. I was a paralegal in Denver and was shocked by the DA’s lack of interest in trying to pursue the case. In fact, I am always shocked when DA’s don’t want to pursue any lead-even if it means they are wrong. They take the same oath as criminal defense attorneys and any who wouldn’t try to find the truth and bury their heads in the sand while innocent people sit in prison should be ashamed and should find other careers-like being used car salesmen. They seem not to care what kind of deal the person gets, as long as they get the deal closed. Good for Marty Tankleff, I hope he gets a shred of his life back.

martina macmillan   July 6th, 2008 10:02 am ET

thank GOD for justice at last HOW MANY MORE are in prison yet to be heard and HOW MANY DIED never to have there names cleared of wrong doings How do people realy know what lies ahead of them that for some unfortunate reason are ACCUSED of something. and a DA.
can put his own spin on, just because he can I, think its a crying shame on our justice system.
TINA

Joe A Reader   July 6th, 2008 11:59 am ET

Well that’s not very much information to use to have an “informed” opinion. Just an opinion with no supporting facts. A waste of the letters used and of the space. Why did he even bother? The writer tells us nothing.

James T. Grimes   July 8th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

I have been a viewer of cout tv now tru tv for about 10 years now. I have always felt like all your shows were fair and balnced until recently. lately, your spotlight’s on people released from prison due to dna, new evidence ect, thou interesting, is getting way too onesided. Why don’t you balance it out by showing an equal amount of cases where people are rightly convicted and receive the fair sentences they deserve?

Barbara   July 12th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

I have watched the story of this young man for many years. I, definitely, believe him to be innocent. For me, it is just a gut feeling, but the facts don’t seem to add up.
I hope Marty can get on with on with his life. It seems that the family was behind him. If anyone would and should believe him, it is great that they do.
How does one recover from an injustice like this????

Joyce   July 16th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

Ya, isn’t it great how someone can just steal a young mans life, because he doesn’t know how to do his job. It just makes me sick how often this happens. That detectives arrogance was appauling, if he would have just taken time to check out other clues, that were only obvious, instead of bullying a 17 year old boy into confessing, simply because he felt the boy was guilty, simply because he was still alive and not dead like his parents.

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Sidebar takes you behind the scenes of the day's legal headlines with breaking news and in-depth analysis from In Session's anchors and correspondents.

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Ashleigh Banfield
Co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield and Ford: Courtside
Ashleigh Banfield
Jack Ford
A former prosecutor and co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield & Ford: Courtside
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Anchor of the daily trial program Lisa Bloom: Open Court
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Jami Floyd
Former defense attorney and anchor of her own daily program Jami Floyd: Best Defense
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Fred Graham
Senior Editor Fred Graham covers legal news in Washington, D.C.
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Jean Casarez
Attorney Jean Casarez covers trials around the country
Jean Casarez
Beth Karas
Former prosecutor Beth Karas covers trials around the country
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