For twenty-three years Paul Scrimo maintained his innocence in the strangulation death of a Farmingdale, Long Island woman. After he was wrongfully convicted in 2002 and sentenced to 23 years to life, he refused to give up hope. He spent countless hours and days, and many years in the prison law library working on his exoneration. In 2019 a federal appeals court tossed his conviction on the grounds that he was denied the right to present his defense.

Despite evidence that overwhelmingly pointed to his innocence the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office elected to re-try Mr. Scrimo. And after less than six hours of deliberations the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

ECBAWM partners Julia P. Kuan and Earl S. Ward conducted the retrial. “We always believed in Paul and we’re delighted he can enjoy the rest of his life with his wife, his now-adult sons and grandkids,” said Mr. Ward and Ms. Kuan.

Second Department Decision, Order & Judgment

Second Circuit Decision & Order

“Paul Scrimo acquitted of murder in second trial after serving 18 years in strangulation death of Farmingdale woman,” Newsday