Trial Begins for Contractor Accused in Crane Collapse

New York, NY —

The manslaughter trial has begun for the contractor accused of causing the March 2008 crane collapse in midtown Manhattan that killed seven people.

In their opening argument, prosecutors say the case comes down to four polyester security straps that defendant William Rapetti relied on to support a six-ton piece of steel on the crane. The straps snapped and a 200-foot tall crane came thundering down on buildings around East 51st Street. Prosecutors say although Rapetti was a "master rigger," he didn't inspect the straps properly and even used one that was damaged from overexposure to the sun.

The defense says Rapetti is being used as a scapegoat. His lawyers argue that the collapse was caused not by the straps but by failure to bolt the crane to the ground properly.

"The people who welded the materials that were supposed to hold the crane up--that welding was flawed," says Arthur Aidala, one of Rapetti's lawyers. "The actual crane that was used was not the crane that was approved by the Department of Buildings. That's flawed. Mr. Rapetti and his crew walked into an ambush that day."

Family members of the workers who died that day wept in the courtroom as Rapetti looked down at the table, holding his head in his hands.

"He's an absolute basket case," says Aidala of his client. "He's being accused of killing his closest friends on the planet. That would devastate anybody."

Rapetti has been charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and reckless endangerment. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.