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Attorney for owner of Pine Island home searched by police says his client maintains his innocence

Attorney John Dupee Jr. told News 12's he doesn't know if the search had to do with the Dawn Marino case.

Ben Nandy

Apr 30, 2025, 12:25 PM

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The owner of a Pine Island property that was just searched by police says -- through his attorney -- he has done nothing wrong.

State police spent five days searching the area around the Little York Road home of Michael Moraczewski, bringing in ATVs and digging equipment, wrapping up Monday evening.

Moraczrewski was named in past news reports as the person who found the body of Dawn Marino in 1987 in a cement tank near his property.

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Marino was reported missing in 1981.

The case has not been solved.

Moraczewski's attorney -- John Dupee Jr. -- told News 12's he doesn't know if the search had to do with the Dawn Marino case, but Moraczewski has always maintained his innocence of any crime.

"I'm obviously concerned that people are reaching a judgement on this case before any trial is held, and I want to make sure Michael gets a fair trial if there are charges that are to be filed," Dupée said Tuesday when reached by phone. "We have been working with the investigators to provide cooperation to the extent we feel we're able to do so, and I'm hopeful that when they conclude their investigation that Michael won't be charged."

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