February 8, 1991

Angel Cordova appeared puzzled by the black unmarked tow truck in front of his apartment building. He was only three months behind on his car payments. He had been discussing his problems with the finance company. Besides, the car had a faulty relay switch. Who makes payments on a lemon? "I'm with Nissan Motor Acceptance," the tow truck driver, Brian Papp, a 325-pound former semi-pro football tackle, said to Mr. Cordova. "Where's the car?"

Two of the last three defendants in the Bensonhurst murder case were acquitted yesterday in another blow to the prosecution in the racially charged case. Plagued by problems, including uncooperative witnesses, the Brooklyn prosecutors have conducted a series of trials under intense scrutiny. Of seven defendants who have been tried on charges stemming from the killing of Yusuf K. Hawkins in 1989, one was convicted of murder, three were convicted of lesser charges and three were acquitted of all charges.

Leading retailers reported generally disappointing results for January, creating concern over profits in the final quarter and the year as a whole. Twelve of the 19 largest chains announcing their results had declines or minimal gains at stores open at least a year, a category known as same-store sales, Some, like Sears, Roebuck & Company, the nation's largest, and the J. C. Penney Company, No. 4, had overall sales declines, including new stores. Wal-Mart, though, showed strong sales growth.

State legislative leaders and Mayor David N. Dinkins reached a tentative agreement today on an ambitious and expensive anti-crime package for New York City, ending four months of arduous negotiations that have left a bitter political aftertaste. Today's agreement is an important victory for Mr. Dinkins, who made the anti-crime package the centerpiece of his first year in office. But legislators and their aides said the tortured bargaining would exact a political cost on the Mayor's strength in Albany.

Senators Seek Overhaul Of Intelligence Agencies Concerned that United States intelligence agencies produce timid assessments of world events and remain focused on cold war issues, leaders of a Senate panel proposed changes in espionage operations. Page A18. Standoff on Atomic Waste Bowing to a threat from Idaho's Governor, a Colorado utility says it will postpone nuclear waste shipments to a Federal storage site. Page A17. Bensonhurst Acquittals In another blow to prosecutors, jurors took only about three hours to find two more defendants not guilty in the killing of Yusuf K. Hawkins. Page B1. Revolving Doors of Justice? A habitual sex offender in Washington State who finishes his prison sentence is likely to face trial for what he might do in the future. Law, page B16.