If Ricci was not involved, he probably wouldn't identify the person because he knew that person would also be harrassed and maybe even jailed on circumstantial charges.
Richard was jailed because of parole violations. I know that is a technicality that they used to hold him but even without the abduction, there were the theft, burglary, and bank robbery charges that were pending. It is possible that his friend had some kind of unrelated charges that he could have been exposed to but we will probably never know now. It is a mistake though to believe that Ricci was being held because of some circumstantial evidence. That is still illegal in this country.
Brilliant, Varina, Ricci wouldn't give up his partner because of his high ethics. Aren't you a judge of character.