There are godfathers, then there are godfathers
Ralph DiCapua, a retired city of Chicago worker, testified this week that his friend, Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo, worked a regular job during the 1970s.
But the most interesting part of his testimony came later.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Markus Funk noted that DiCapua had testified at another court hearing for Lombardo, saying Lombardo was "the godfather of the community."
DiCapua said he didn't recall giving that testimony.
When questioned by Lombardo's attorney, though, DiCapua said that the term godfather means " a person who would help you. It's a religious term."
DiCapua said he himself was a godfather.
Funk got up and asked DiCapua: "Sir, are you the godfather of your community,"
"No," DiCapua admitted, prompting laughter in the courtroom.
Comments
I noticed that yesterday Lombardo said he didn't know 4 of the other 5 defendants. How has the prosecution not attacked this?
Do they not have evidence of Lombardo and the other defendants talking or hanging out with each other?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: One thing to keep in mind is that Lombardo was the reputed head of the Grand Avenue crew, while Frank Calabrese Sr. and James Marcello were in different crews.
Frank Calabrese Sr. and Nick Calabrese were also not known for socializing much with other mobsters, according to court testimony.
Prosecutors apparently don't have evidence linking all the men together, but if they had, they likely would have introduced it.
Posted by: Mike | August 16, 2007 09:54 AM
Steve, it seems the prosecution is a step ahead of the defense on since the prosecution rested.
Does that appear to be the case in the courtroom?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It's up to the jury to make that call, but I'll note that you usually don't see defendants testify when they believe the prosecution has made only a weak case against them.
Posted by: Barry A. | August 17, 2007 01:04 PM