Clairton Suspect Says Confession Was Coerced
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- There are new developments today from the hearing for two men accused in connection with a shooting that left a Clairton police officer wounded.
Lawyers for the suspects, Marcus Andrejco and Emilio Rivera, are trying to get evidence thrown out before trial.
This morning in court, a detective denied that Rivera was coerced into making a confession.
Prosecutors played his audio taped confession where he says he participated in the home invasion that resulted in the shooting of Clairton officer James Kuzak. But Rivera claimed police coached him on what to say.
Rivera testified his confession was coerced because of threats made by police.
"They said, 'This is your last chance. We know you were involved. I can assure you things are going to get ugly. Your girlfriend could be charged and you could lose your child,'" Rivera told the court.
"I told them I didn't do this but I had to tell them what they wanted to hear," he added.
The victim, Officer James Kuzak, attended today's hearing.
KDKA's Harold Hayes reports Officer Kuzak told reporters that his injuries make it painful to sit for long periods of time in court.
"For once, it's a little different. I haven't been the officer and the victim in a case like this; it's a first for me," said Officer Kuzak. "It's almost very new to me; intriguing, I guess you could say."
Judge Edward Borkowski will rule in a few days on whether the confessions can be used at trial.
Stay with KDKA for Harold Hayes' full report on this developing story.
RELATED LINKS:
Confession, Wiretap Argued In Clairton Home Invasion Case (2/1/12)
More News on Officer Kuzak & Clairton case
