Detective: ‘Cops’ TV presence damaged murder-for-hire case

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He said his major ordered him to sign the contract to appear on “Cops.”

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“I was told that, ‘You are going to have the TV show “Cops” ride with you,’ and that’s the end of it,” Ranzie said.

Dippolito, 34, is charged with trying to hire a hit man to kill her then-husband Michael Dippolito in 2009. The case became a “Cops” special episode. Dippolito’s 2011 conviction and 20-year sentence were overturned on appeal because of mistakes during jury selection by the previous judge.

In a videotaped meeting with undercover officer Widy Jean posing as a hit man, she offered the pretend killer $7,000 to shoot her husband, saying she was “5,000 per cent sure” she wanted him dead.

She has testified at her previous trial and at hearings that she, her husband and informant Mohammed Shihadeh were acting in an ill-planned video project in hopes of landing their own reality TV show and that Shihadeh threatened her with a gun if she didn’t meet Jean.

Michael Dippolito and Shihadeh have denied there was a video project and Shihadeh has denied threatening Dippolito. He did say Boynton detectives threatened him with arrest if he didn’t stick with the investigation. Such a threat would violate department policy. Dippolito has not testified at her current trial.

Ranzie said that while no investigation is perfect, Boynton Beach detectives made several avoidable mistakes with Dippolito. He said the lead detective pressed ahead with a meeting between her and Shihadeh at a Chili’s restaurant even though Shihadeh’s wire failed. He said he offered to drive to a neighbouring police department and borrow a wire but the lead detective cursed him out and told him to mind his own business.

Dippolito’s attorneys have tried to use that gap to her advantage, suggesting to jurors it was during that meeting Shihadeh made his threat.

Closing arguments are expected by Tuesday.

Terry Spencer, The Associated Press