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'Sopranos' star one of Tankleff's supporters

By Marlene Naanes, amNewYork Staff Writer
More stories | MNaanes@am-ny.com

January 3, 2008

Martin Tankleff racked up countless supporters in the 17-year fight to clear his name, but one of his most famous allies was "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini.

The actor attended court in October when attorneys argued for Tankleff's release. Gandolfini also drove hundreds of miles to visit Tankleff in prison in August.

The former Tony Soprano took interest in the case after meeting Great Neck private investigator Jay Salpeter, who compiled witnesses and evidence for an evidentiary hearing in the case. Gandolfini has dodged the press during his shows of support, and spokespeople for the actor could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Tankleff has also garnered the support of Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project, a group devoted to overturning wrongful convictions, and television programs "48 Hours" and "Dr. Phil" have featured his case.

"We are ecstatic for Marty and his family," said Olga Akselrod, staff attorney for the Innocence Project. "We are thrilled justice, although delayed for so long, is being done now."

Support for Tankleff went global years ago through a Web site devoted to his case, martytankleff.org, which raised money for his defense.