DNA test frees three from killing

MINEOLA, N.Y. -- Three men imprisoned since 1986 in the rape and murder of a teenage roller rink worker had their convictions thrown out Wednesday after advanced DNA testing failed to link them with the crime.

John Kogut, 39, John Restivo, 44, and Dennis Halstead, 48, were ordered to post $300,000 bail before they could walk out of prison for the first time in 17 years.

On Nov. 10, 1985, 16-year-old Theresa Fusco left her job at the Hot Skates roller rink. Her nude body, buried beneath leaves in a wooded area just a block from the rink, was discovered 3 1/2 weeks later.

The defendants were all serving 25 years to life on their convictions for second-degree murder and first-degree rape.

But DNA testing done this year determined that semen found on the victim matched none of the men, said Nassau County Chief Assistant District Attorney Patrick McCormack.