Man convicted in 1988 ‘Capturing the Friedmans’ abuse case renews attempt to clear his name

MINEOLA, N.Y. – A man portrayed in an Oscar-nominated documentary about a notorious 1988 sex abuse case has launched another attempt to clear his name.

Jesse Friedman and his attorney filed a motion Tuesday in New York’s Nassau County Court. They want a judge to hold a hearing to review evidence in the case.

Friedman and his father pleaded guilty to abusing 13 children who took computer classes at their Great Neck, New York, home.

Friedman said at the time that he pleaded guilty to avoid a life sentence.

Last year, the county’s chief prosecutor determined that Friedman was properly convicted.

The Bridgeport, Connecticut, resident has fought for over a decade for exoneration. His case was the subject of the 2003 film “Capturing the Friedmans.”

His father, Arnold Friedman, died in prison.