Prosecutor Denies Violating Court Order

The “Cotton Club” case prosecutor, fighting accusations that he violated a court order, testified Tuesday he was unaware that a judge had ordered him to disclose witness statements to the defense.

David Conn, undergoing a second day of defense examination, said he had opposed a defense motion months ago for disclosure of both written and oral statements and believed a judge had upheld his position.

“I did not intentionally disobey a court order,” he said.

Conn’s comments came at a special hearing ordered by Los Angeles Municipal Judge Patti Jo McKay after a key prosecution witness blurted out incriminating statements that the defense lawyers said were a surprise to them.

The witness, William Rider, claimed that two defendants admitted to him that they had murdered New York theatrical producer Roy Radin.