Pittsburgh detective accused of having inappropriate relationship with homicide witness

PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh police homicide detective's conduct with a case witness is under investigation by the district attorney's office and the city’s Office of Municipal Investigations.

District Attorney Stephen Zappala is assigning two detectives to examine allegations that Det. Patrick Moffatt may have had an inappropriate relationship with a witness in a 2002 homicide case.

James Wymard, Moffatt's lawyer, told Channel 11 he has not had a chance to completely review the allegations, so he cannot comment at this time.

According to a DA spokesperson, that office got involved after testimony in a 2012 homicide case came to light earlier this week.

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During a post-conviction relief hearing, a woman who is in the witness protection program told the court she had a  physical relationship with Moffatt, and he used information she gave him in the context of that personal relationship to identify a homicide suspect and bring him to trial.

The woman told the court she never named the murder suspect and her life was threatened when the info surfaced.

Police sources told Channel 11 a second woman has come forward alleging an inappropriate relationship with Moffatt, whom she met when she was also a witness in a homicide case with which he was involved.

Moffatt is still on the job.

Cox Media Group