A special prosecutor will be dealing with the retrial of a Binghamton man, once convicted of murdering his ex-wife and her companion.

The New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division reversed Aaron Powell’s conviction in the March 2013 murder of 35 year old Christina Powell and 24 year old Mario Masciarelli since a juror in the trial had worked on Powell’s divorce and custody cases.  Two Broome County Assistant District Attorneys were also involved in cases involving Powell.

Christina Powell was strangled with an electrical cord while Masciarelli was beaten with a baseball bat.  Their bodies were found in the woman's home on Lisi Lane in the Town of Binghamton.

Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell had requested Oneida County District Attorney, Scott McNamara to be appointed to take the case and that he had agreed to act as Special Prosecutor.  The State Court ruled, however, since Broome County is located in the Third Judicial District and Oneida is in the Fourth Judicial District, the Oneida DA is not a candidate to take the case.  The anticipated length of the retrial was also taken into consideration.

Local Attorney Christopher Grace, instead, has been named Special Prosecutor in the retrial. In addition to law offices in Broome County, he had worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County and Nassau County.

The Broome County District Attorney’s office will turn over all documents concerning the case to Grace.

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