Attorney assails police in triple-murder trial

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A defense attorney assails the police investigation of a triple murder during closing arguments at the trial of a man accused in the slayings.

Raymond Morasse contends his client, Alexander Alfaro, was pressured by police into lying about his involvement in the killings of three college-bound friends in a Newark playground.

Jurors are hearing closing arguments in Alfaro’s trial today. Prosecutors are to follow with their summations later today.

Morasse also told jurors sloppy police work should create reasonable doubt about Alfaro’s guilt.

Earlier in the trial, prosecutors played a taped statement made by Alfaro in which he admits slashing one victim with a machete.

Alfaro is one of six people charged in the murders. Two are serving consecutive life sentences.