Prosecutors vs. police: Sharing a cop's background debated in Yonkers slay case

New York's new evidence law has created a rift between the Westchester District Attorney's Office and Yonkers police, with the police unions fighting subpoenas that requested personnel files of police witnesses. Prosecutors contend the information is necessary for them to meet their burden of providing more timely discovery in criminal cases. Police have countered that it violates existing law protecting their privacy. Until this issue, law enforcement has been united over the new discovery laws that took effect Jan. 1. They require all evidence to be turned over to the defense within 15 days of arraignment and delaying any trial until prosecutors certify compliance with the discovery requirements.