Excerpt of Globe story.

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Pierce witnesses recant again

Repeat new version of events in attack on Celts star player

By Kathleen Burge, Globe Staff, 9/24/2002

Two women who helped build a case against three men charged with
stabbing Celtics star Paul Pierce but later recanted most of what they
told investigators stuck by their revised versions yesterday.

........................Yesterday, a witness who had identified Ragland
and Hurston as two of Pierce's attackers shortly after the assault
returned to court. Regina Henderson, who had identified Ragland in
court on Friday, said she had initially identified Hurston because
Assistant District Attorney John Pappas threatened to reopen an old
criminal case against her if she didn't cooperate.

As she was cross-examined by Hurston's lawyer, John Swomley, she said
she was afraid of Pappas.

''You know that [Hurston] didn't do it, didn't you?'' Swomley asked her.

''Yes,'' she said, hanging her head and sniffling.
................................................

Kathleen Burge can be reached at kburge@globe.com

This story ran on page B3 of the Boston Globe on 9/24/2002.
) Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.