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CNN Live Event/Special

Abner Louima Case: Freed Police Officer Speaks Out

Aired March 07, 2002 - 14:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: A few moments ago, we told you about the case of Abner Louima. The officer now who will face a retrial meeting with reporters there in Brooklyn.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

CHARLES SCHWARZ, FREED NEW YORK POLICE OFFICER: ... I've received thousands of letters that really helped sustain me. I also like to thank my family, especially my wife, Andra (ph), who stuck with me through this whole thing, my attorneys, Jeremy White (ph), Mark Freidberg (ph) and I specially want to thank Ronald Fischetti.

Back in August '99 when he came in on this case with me, he told me he was going to get this reversed. He kept my spirits up and he made me keep my hope up that this day would happen. And it has. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be standing here right now.

It's hard to explain, but how I feel is just so overwhelming right now. And you know it's just -- it's just a great day. And Ron did tell me, you know, after 33 months of eating prison food that he'd get me a nice, big steak. And I'm looking forward to that now. So, thank you very much.

QUESTION: Chuck, what would you like to say to Mr. Louima?

HEMMER: All right. That is Charles Schwarz, one of the New York City police officers involved in the case of Abner Louima. His case -- ordered a new trial. That trial anticipated to start sometime possibly in the month of June, according to reports we're getting from Deborah Feyerick.

He met bail earlier today, $1 million bail. And again, Charles Schwarz, free for the first time in nearly three years. But again, he does face another trial. And again, we anticipate that to start possibly in about three months from now.

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