Mystery writers rescind award

THE Mystery Writers of America has yanked an honorary award it was to give prosecutor-turned-best-selling author Linda Fairstein at its annual gala, after other writers complained. The group said Thursday, “After profound reflection, the board has decided that MWA cannot move forward with an award that lacks the support of such a large percentage of our members.” Fairstein was to receive a Grand Master Award, but some bristled because of Fairstein’s past role in the notorious “Central Park Five” case, when Fairstein was chief of the sex-crimes unit of the Manhattan DA’s office. Another Edgar winner, Attica Locke — who’s working on Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series about the case — posted on Twitter Tuesday of Fairstein: “She is almost single handedly responsible for the wrongful incarceration of the Central Park Five . . . I cannot support this decision.” Fairstein fired back, “I was neither the prosecutor nor investigator in the case you mention. I was certainly NOT the person who ‘single handedly spearheaded’ the investigation. Why don’t you and I have a civilized conversation, so I can refresh you with the facts?” But then on Facebook Thursday, she said: “When I received the call about being selected as Mystery Writers of America 2019 Grand Master, it was one of the happiest moments of my literary life . . . I am extremely disappointed, of course, to have this great award-designation revoked so hastily. I remain enormously proud of our pioneering work at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit, advancing the ability of victims of violence to triumph in the criminal justice system. I thank MWA for the initial honor and for the joy it inspired, which can never be revoked, and I am happy to enthusiastically support the new Grand Master.” The group said it had been “unaware of Ms. Fairstein’s role in the controversy” and will be “reevaluating and significantly revising its procedures for selecting honorary awards in the future.”