Levi Aron attorney withdraws from case

One of the defense attorneys representing the Brooklyn man accused of murdering 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky has withdrawn from the case because he found it "too graphic and horrific."

Gerard Marrone of Middle Village said Thursday that he no longer represents Levi Aron, 35, leaving the matter in the hands of his former co-counsel, Pierre Bazile.

"It didn't sit well with me," Marrone, a father of three boys, told Newsday when asked how he felt about the allegations of homicide and dismemberment facing Aron.

"Certainly Levi Aron is innocent until proven guilty. . . . Someone else can" represent him, Marrone said.

Bazile, who has law offices in Huntington Station, didn't return calls seeking comment.

Aron is being held in a psychiatric wing of Bellevue Hospital Center as he undergoes a court-ordered examination to see if he is competent to stand trial.

The defense has indicated it may use an insanity defense if the case goes to trial. Aron said he has heard voices in his head, Marrone and Bazile said after his arrest.

Although he didn't go into detail, Marrone said he had doubts about staying on the case after he and Bazile talked with Aron at Bellevue this week.

Aron was indicted Wednesday by a Brooklyn grand jury on charges he drugged Leiby, suffocated him and then cut up his body. Police found Leiby's remains in Aron's refrigerator and in a trash bin.

The boy became lost July 11 while walking home from day camp when he had a chance encounter with Aron on a street in Borough Park.

Thursday, police said they had removed items of Leiby's clothing from Aron's apartment in the Kensington section and indicated they don't think there are any other victims.

"The probing of the backyard and the continuing examination of the apartment is not based on information about additional victims but as part of a comprehensive forensic investigation," said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.

"The apartment was cluttered. Forensic investigators began with removal of the largest items, such as the refrigerator, and continue with everything else inside."