There were no paroles or Miranda appeals, and crime witnesses could be held along with the accused as a court convenience.

B1 A man pleaded guilty to murdering a crime witness and gave a chilling account of how he and another man executed 61-year-old Mildred Greene.

It represents the New York City Police Department and Police Foundation's latest attempt to take on the silence of crime witnesses.

And does it encourage crime witnesses to hold out for the biggest payday before cooperating with authorities?

A 27-year-old Queens man pleaded guilty yesterday to murdering a crime witness and gave a graphic and chilling account of how he and another man had executed her.

The killing underscored the fears many crime witnesses harbor about possible retribution if they cooperate with the authorities, and led the Police Department to improve its procedures for handling threats against witnesses.

The report yesterday was the latest twist in a case that law-enforcement officials say epitomizes the public's worst fears about what can happen to crime witnesses who cooperate with the authorities.

Calling them "merchants of death" who had executed a "good citizen," a Queens judge yesterday gave maximum sentences to three men convicted of killing a 61-year-old crime witness.

For years, crime witnesses have been asked to come down to the police station and describe crime suspects to sketch artists.

He established new programs to aid crime witnesses and victims, introduced nighttime felony trials, and helped set up a second-chance program for drug users.