The Cannibal Cop’s victory has some of his creepy cronies salivating — hoping their convictions, too, will be tossed.
Retired Stuyvesant HS librarian Christopher Asch and New Jersey mechanic Michael Van Hise were both busted after the feds tied Van Hise to ex-Officer Gilberto Valle through depraved online chats.
References to Valle and cannibalism were ultimately barred from their trial, but jurors found them guilty in March of scheming to kidnap, rape torture and kill various female members of Van Hise’s family. The men both face up to life in prison.
Asch lawyer Brian Waller said he was “encouraged” by Valle being sprung and “hopeful that the court will reach a similar decision for Asch.”
Van Hise lawyer Alice Fontier noted that the Valle ruling says her client “lacked the criminal intent to kidnap,” adding, “It has always been our position that Mr. Van Hise engaged in fantasy role play with Mr. Valle and many others.”
In January, a third man, ex-VA hospital Police Chief Richard Meltz, pleaded guilty to plotting with Van Hise and Asch. His lawyer, Peter Brill, hoped the ruling would help at sentencing.
Another online pal, male nurse Dale Bolinger, is on trial in England on charges that include trying to poison a woman.