The Region - News from Aug. 19, 1987

The initial prosecutor in the “Twilight Zone” case filed a $10-million claim against the county charging that high-ranking employees of the district attorney’s office harrassed and defamed him. Deputy Dist. Atty. Gary P. Kesselman, who was subpoenaed to testify by the defense during the long-running trial, said at least three employees in the district attorney’s office made efforts to “pressure (him) into testifying in support of perjured testimony” and when these efforts failed, a campaign to harrass, intimidate and discredit him (was) instituted.” The three employees named in the claim were Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Gilbert Garcetti, Director of Central Operations Richard Hecht and Deputy Dist. Atty. Lea D’Agostino, Kesselman’s successor on the case.