- History: NYPD - Former Cop Faces Death -

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Former Cop Faces Death
Reno gives OK in city case

Attorney General Janet Reno yesterday gave
Manhattan federal prosecutors permission to
seek the death penalty for a former New York city
cop.

It is the first time in 70 years one of New York's
Finest faces the electric chair.

John Cuff, a city housing cop from 1981 through
1986, is charged with eight murders and has
allegedly confessed to a ninth, all committed while he
reportedly acted as an enforcer for a reputed
Harlem-based drug dealer, Clarence (The Preacher)
Heatley.

Heatley has been a major drug dealer in Harlem and
the Bronx since 1983, with a reputation for violence,
prosecutors said.

Cuff was charged last year in a 54-count indictment.

While still on the Housing Police Department payroll,
Cuff allegedly worked as a driver for Heatley,
sometimes even flashing his police badge if cops
stopped his car, investigators say.

But Cuff's attorney, Irving Cohen, said: "We do not
believe this is a federal death penalty case based on
the allegation and the evidence. We firmly believe
that no death penalty will be imposed when this case
is over."

Investigators said Cuff, who became a housing cop
in 1981, grew up with Heatley's subordinates and
was known as "Big Cuz" on the street.

Cuff left the police in 1986 and became one of
Heatley's top lieutenants, prosecutors said. NYPD
officials were unable to explain why Cuff left,
although investigators say he was under investigation
for his alleged role in a robbery.

From December 1993 to June 1994, Cuff
participated in eight murders, according to court
papers filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon
McCarthy.

On Heatley's orders, Cuff allegedly lured Anthony
(Malik) Boatwright to a Grand Concourse apartment
building basement on March 21, 1994 and shot him
in the head, prosecutors charge.

Cuff then allegedly supervised while his underlings
cut Boatwright's body up with a circular saw. Cuff
allegedly personally burned Boatwright's arms and
head and tossed them into an abandoned building in
Harlem.

Heatley also faces murder charges. His trial is
pending.

The last cop to face the death penalty, Daniel
(Handsome Dan) Graham, was electrocuted in Sing
Sing on Aug. 9, 1928.

Original Story Date: 121897
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