The prosecution’s argument against master rigger William Rapetti suffered a couple of blows Monday as a worker who was on site the day of the deadly 2008 crane collapse said he saw nothing wrong with the four nylon slings used to secure the crane’s six-ton steel collar to its mast.
Rappeti faces manslaughter and other charges and could receive up to 27 years in prison if Justice Roger S. Hayes – who is hearing the case without a jury at Rapetti’s request – finds that he was negligent in preparing the crane jump, which occurred on March 15 2008. During the jump, the crane – which was attached to the 18th floor of a rising condo on Manhattan’s East 51st Street – collapsed, killing seven, including the entire rigging crew.