Cops called the accused killer a lot of names in his day - by his own choice.
The man has used 18 separate names after arrests, said Assistant District Attorney Mark Gilson.
Yesterday, two lawyers showed up for the guy's preliminary hearing, sure that each represented him.
The defendant will have to name one.
Court officials are not certain what name to use on the dockets.
"I know him as Fred," said attorney Anthony E. Stefanski, an associate of attorney A. Charles Peruto Jr.
Attorney Arnold Silverstein thinks his client is Wilfredo Lopez Martinez.
"I have no idea what his real name is," said Gilson.
"Every time I speak to him, I call him a different name," smiled Peruto later.
Whoever he is, the man is charged with the murder of Mitchell Henry, 30, of Hope Street near Montgomery Avenue, on Dec. 15, 1998.
Henry was fatally shot at Norris and Hancock streets.
When Gilson won a postponement of the hearing yesterday to investigate the case further, Silverstein asked for bail.
Gilson objected.
He told Municipal Judge Harvey W. Robbins that the man listed as Martinez, 50, of 9th Street near Pike, "has 18 different aliases, 15 different addresses and three different dates of birth."
Gilson said the mystery man "has 29 arrests, 12 convictions and is on parole or probation for terroristic threats and simple assault."
"He also has eight failures to appear" in court, noted Robbins.
"This man poses a distinct and definite danger to society if released," said Gilson.
"The motion for bail is denied," said Robbins.
The hearing is expected to be held sometime next month, after all the problems in the case are untangled.
