Testimony ends in Flanagan misconduct case

Testimony ended Wednesday in the trial of former Nassau police commander William Flanagan, as prosecutors rested their case and Flanagan's attorney said he would not call any witnesses.

The attorneys are expected to make their closing arguments before Acting Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Mark Cohen this morning in Nassau County Court in Mineola.

Flanagan, 55, is charged with abusing his authority to stop the arrest of Zachary Parker, son of Flanagan's friend and police benefactor Gary Parker. If Flanagan is convicted of the top count against him, receiving reward for official misconduct, a class E felony, he will face up to four years in prison.

Zachary Parker, now 22, stole about $10,000 worth of electronic equipment from John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore in May 2009. Police never arrested him, but prosecutors later presented evidence against the teen to a grand jury and he was indicted. He has since pleaded guilty to the crime and is serving an upstate prison sentence.

After prosecutors rested their case, Flanagan's lawyer, Bruce Barket of Garden City asked the judge to dismiss the case against Flanagan. Prosecutors had not shown that Flanagan committed a crime and the case should not go to the jury, Barket told Cohen. The judge denied Barket's request.

Barket said that all Flanagan did was to return the stolen equipment to the school, something that he was obliged to do. Barket also said there is no evidence that returning the property to the school prevented Parker's arrest by police.