What is can I do if I want to recant my court testimony but am afraid of being charged with perjury?
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What is can I do if I want to recant my court testimony but am afraid of being charged with perjury?
I am the key witness in a murder trial. I was threatened by officers to say that I saw the defendant commit the crime. He was charged with second degree murder and sentenced to 47 years. Today I am willing to go forward and recant my statement but fear being charged with perjury? In court can I just answer questions based on my new affidavit and plead the fifth to any other questions?
Asked on June 28, 2011 under Criminal Law
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Oh my goodness. May I strongly suggest that you seek out legal help on this matter. I would suggest consulting with an attorney that can spin this in to your fear but that you can not let an innocent man go to jail for this? You have committed perjury - there is no doubt about that - but the deal that your attorney will make as to your testimony, etc., will depend on many things. The police officers need to be investigated as well. Maybe there is a deal in there that you can make. What has happened must be eating away at you and I can tell that you want to do the right thing. It is not easy. Good luck to you.
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