Former Queens District Attorney John J. Santucci, who handed off the high-profile fatal Howard Beach racial attack case to a special prosecutor and later charged five cops involved in a lethal chokehold, died on Sunday. He was 85.
Santucci became a national figure after three black men in Howard Beach, Queens were chased by a gang of white teenagers in December 1986. One of the black men, Michael Griffith, was fatally struck by a car when he ran onto the Shore Parkway to avoid his attackers.
The surviving victims in the prominent case declined to talk with investigators from Santucci’s office, arguing that the politically connected District Attorney had tried to cover up evidence tied to the explosive allegations. Santucci vehemently denied that his office was compromised.
But he appointed a special prosecutor, Charles Hynes, to handle the emotionally charged case.
Hynes successfully brought manslaughter charges against three of the white men, and six others were convicted of more minor charges.
Santucci was initially appointed District Attorney in 1977 by former Governor Hugh Carey and was re-elected three more times. All told, he served for 14 years until his retirement in 1991.
Under his leadership, the office was one of the first in New York State to use DNA evidence to build cases against criminals. His administration was also one of the first to create a Special Victims Bureau.
But critics of Santucci’s administration argued that his office was filled with politically connected hires and unqualified patronage appointees, including his daughter.
His supporters denied those charges, pointing out he was quick to charge powerful political figures, including the state’s administrative judge in Queens.
He drew some controversy in 1983 after he attended a seven hour lunch with a reputed associate in the Gambino crime family, Salvatore Reale, as well as several other city bigwigs.
The former top Queens prosecutor long denied knowing that Reale had mob ties and was under investigation at the time of the meeting.
Santucci’s last year in office was also controversial.
His office investigated the case of suspected car thief Federico Pereira who died in police custody from a so-called “camel clutch” chokehold after he apparently resisted arrest. He indicted the five arresting officers on murder charges despite objections from prosecutors in his own office.
The case against four of the officers was dropped by his successor, Richard Brown, citing lack of evidence. The fifth officer, Anthony Paparella, was later found innocent at trial.
On Monday, Brown issued his condolences.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my predecessor,” he said in a statement. “John spent his entire career in dedicated service to the people of Queens County.”
After his retirement, Santucci remained active in several charitable organizations and established the John J. Santucci Justice Scholarship at Touro Law School.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edna Ann, and their six children, Mary, Thomas, John, Carol, Robert and Edna as well as, 12 grandchildren.
Services are set for Tuesday and Wednesday at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Garden City. A funeral is scheduled for Thursday morning at St. Anne’s Church in Garden City.
