Smithtown Man's Attorney Steps Down in Suffolk Police Chief Case

The attorney representing a Smithtown man who accuses Suffolk Chief of Police James Burke of punching him while in police custody has asked to be removed from the case. 

Defense Lawyer Toni Marie Angeli, of Garden City, asked the courts to be relieved from representing Christopher Loeb, 26, once another attorney has been appointed, Newsday reports.  Angeli said she had a conflict. 

Central-Islip based attorney Michael Braun, the former prosecuter for Suffolk County district attorney's office, was initially appointed to take over the case. However, within an hour, he said he had reconsidered and declined. 

Loeb was arrested on Dec. 14, 2012 at his Smithtown home on charges of allegedly breaking into Burke's police officer's cruiser with an accomplice to steal his gun belt, ammunition, and handcuffs. 

However, Loeb has accused Burke of violating his civil rights by punching him at the Fourth Precinct while in police custody. 

Within the week, the FBI has sent out more than a dozen subpoenas to more than a dozen Suffolk police officers, detectives and employees to appear before a federal grand jury. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required]  about the latest developments in Loeb's case and the FBI investigation into Burke.