A Brooklyn judge has granted Joseph Fama, convicted in the 1989 racially-charged murder of Yusuf Hawkins, a new hearing to present evidence of his innocence after 35 years in prison.
At a Glance
- Joseph Fama, convicted of murdering Black teenager Yusuf Hawkins in 1989, will have a new hearing to present evidence of innocence
- The case was a pivotal moment in New York City’s racial history, sparking protests and cultural shifts
- New revelations about Detective Louis Scarcella’s involvement raise questions about the investigation’s integrity
- Fama has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was wrongfully convicted
- The Brooklyn DA’s office opposes the appeal, viewing it as a repetition of previously unsuccessful legal claims
Revisiting a Racially Charged Case
The 1989 murder of Yusuf Hawkins, a black teenager killed by a mob of white youths in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, is a stark reminder of racial tensions that plagued New York City in the late 1980s. Now, 35 years later, the case is back in the spotlight as Joseph Fama, the man convicted of the killing, has been granted a new hearing to present evidence supporting his claim of innocence.
Fama, now 53, has consistently maintained that he did not commit the crime. His lawyer, Justin Bonus, argues that Fama was not part of the mob that attacked Hawkins and that another individual was responsible for the shooting.
New Evidence and Controversial Detective
The case has taken a new turn with revelations about former NYPD Detective Louis Scarcella’s involvement in the investigation. Scarcella, known for his controversial tactics, has been linked to at least 15 exonerations in other cases. Initially, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office denied Scarcella’s involvement in the Fama case, stating, “no records located indicating that Det. Scarcella, who was assigned to Brooklyn North Homicide, had any involvement…with a Brooklyn South Homicide case.”
However, it was later acknowledged that Scarcella played a minor role after Fama filed a 440 motion.
Prosecution Stands Firm
Despite the new hearing, Brooklyn prosecutors view Fama’s appeal as a repetition of previously unsuccessful legal claims. The district attorney’s office maintains that the new claims do not present credible evidence of Fama’s innocence.
The Detectives Endowment Association said it “stands by the work” of its members, including Scarcella, despite the controversy surrounding his methods.
