BROOKLYN JUDGE CALLS DEATH PENALTY CASE A WASTE OF TIME

NEW YORK -- A judge at the federal death penalty trial of a notorious
crack kingpin has warned prosecutors that pursuing a death sentence
against him would be a waste of time and money.

"There's no chance in the world there would be a death penalty
verdict in this case," U.S. District Judge Frederic Block said
Wednesday while jurors were on a break amid closing arguments in the
guilt phase at the trial of Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff.

"If I'm wrong, I will have egg on my face," the Brooklyn judge said,
"but I will not be incorrect."

According to a transcript obtained Thursday, Block advised
prosecutors to contact their superiors in Washington and ask them to
reconsider their decision to seek a death sentence. Even if McGriff
is convicted in a contract killing conspiracy, going forward with a
penalty phase would be pointless, he said.

"There's just no chance that 12 jurors will vote for the death
penalty in this case, and I think it is good for us to save money, if
we can do that, and judicial resources," he said.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office declined comment.

In the 1980s, McGriff founded the Supreme Team, a profitable and
ruthless drug crew that became legend on the same Queens streets that
later produced rap stars like Ja Rule and 50 Cent. Authorities allege
that after serving time for an earlier drug conviction, McGriff
resumed his drug dealing operations and paid $50,000 to have two rivals killed.