Charges Dropped Against Suspect In Murder Of Raksin

There’s been a stunning turn in the case of a Brooklyn rabbi who was murdered while visiting family in Florida.

Prosecutors have dropped all charges against 17-year-old Deandre Charles of South Florida, the suspect originally accused of killing Rabbi Joseph Raksin in 2014

Raksin was visiting his daughter near Miami when he was shot dead early on a Saturday while on his way to worship.

Charles was charged based on circumstantial evidence including DNA and cell phone records. He’s always denied involvement.

Now — in a memo released on Tuesday — prosecutors explain how the case collapsed, saying a “change in lab protocol” puts the DNA evidence in question. Additionally, a reevaluation of the cell phone records can’t place the defendant at the scene.