A man convicted of killing a Brooklyn rabbi 16 years ago could walk out of court free today because the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office withheld evidence during his trial.
Jabbar Collins, 47, was convicted in 1995 of murdering Rabbi Abraham Pollack in Williamsburg during an armed robbery.
Witness Edwin Olivia had initially told cops that he had heard Collins planning the robbery.
Afraid of retribution, Olivia later told a prosecutor he recanted his statement, sources said. But then he changed back to his original story and eventually testified against Collins.
Collins claims that Brooklyn prosecutor Michael Vecchione never disclosed this to anyone, including the defense team.
Vecchione denied knowing about Olivia’s disavowal of his story.
Last week, the DA’s office learned the information had been withheld.
It ‘fessed up and said that if the conviction is vacated, it plans on retrying Collins.
Federal Judge Dora Irizzary will rule today.