re·cant /ri-'kant/ vt: to renounce or withdraw (prior statements or testimony)
surprised the prosecution by recant ing statements made earlier to the police
vi: to renounce or withdraw prior statements or testimony
re·can·ta·tion /ˌrē-ˌkan-'tā-shən/ n
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.