Thursday update

It just proves to me that their all innocent

Richie the RAT has been in every outfit trial as a witness. Because he neede protection he would do anything the FBI wanted him to do. He hsa not been around the neighborhood for years, and had nothing to do with any of what he is saying. That is why they call him the (RAT). He was never in the car when LaMAntia got reprimanded. R.J was there but sat on his hands. There was one man in the back seat who hit Shorty one time in the side of his head.And that was it. Two days lateer one man was sent shortys home and was told that old man wanted him with them,when he moved back to the neighborhood. Frank C is the man who came to shorty's home to pass that message. LaMantia was well like by the boss,but things are done a little different with that society .

Anything on police corruption and towns mentioned?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: We got a mention of Chicago police corruption in testimony Tuesday. Nick Calabrese said during one bookmaking season, there was a phone number they could call to find out who the Chicago cops were going to bust that week.

The man who set it up, allegedly, was the late Chicago cop Michael Ricci.

Sorry to comment so frequently but I can't find hte answers to my questions in any news articles.
I see there was testimony today about the murders of Tony and Michael, they don't list everyone who was there. I find it hard to believe the prosecution is leaving this question out so I can only surmise the media isn't covering it.

I'm curious who the original hit team was in Vegas on the botched attemtp, as well as who the final hit team included. I know some of the key guys have been mentioned but has list of all participants been stated for the record ? Were there any changes what so ever from the time they left Vegas on the botched attempt to when they committed the murder of Vaci?

WARMBIR RESPONDS:

You asked for it, you got it.

Or at least the questions to which I know the answers.

The men allegedly involved in killing the Spilotros in the Bensenville area basement, as identified by Nick Calabrese in testimony Wednesday:

1. Nicholas Calabrese
2. His capo, James LaPietra
3. John Fecarotta
4. John DiFronzo
5. Sam Carlisi
6. Joseph Ferriola
7. Louie "The Mooch" Eboil
8. Louis Marino
9. James Marcello
10. Ernest "Rocky" Infelise
Another man or two who were in the basement Nick Calabrese didn't know.

The men directly involved in the murder of Emil Vaci:

1. Joseph Hansen
2. Nick Calabrese
3. Jimmy DiForti
4. Paul Schiro

Other men involved in the planning or in the earlier stages of the murder:
1. Frank Schweihs
2. James LaPietra

The hit team that was sent out of Vegas to kill Tony Spilotro:

This varied as people came and went but it included Nick Calabrese, John Fecarotta, Frank Schweihs and Jimmy DiForti.

We may have a better idea of that team as the trial progresses.

Involved in the actual burial of the Spilotro brothers is allegedly to be as follows:

- Giovanni "Big John" Fecarotta: he was killed for setting up the botched burial, of course.
- Albert "Caesar" Tocco: boss of the Chicago Heights crew at that time.
- Albert "Chicky" Roviero: Tocco's man in Northwestern Indiana.
- Dominic "Toots" Palermo
- Nicholas "Nicky" Guzzino

With all the people involved, somewhere around 10 or so in the Bensenville basement at the time of the murders and four or five others involved in the actual burial, that's at least 15 men involved. It's a wonder nobody talked before Nick Calabrese. That's a lot of people to worry about opening up their mouths!

Also, this is the first I've read where Lou Marino was in the basement as well, which does make sense since he was one of Rocky Infelise's top men and Infelise was allegedly there.

Thank you very much...its so nice to have our questions answered. Are you in the courtroom? I've been trying to get a read on the prosecution's approach and I can't wrap my brain around it. It seems it isnt "fluid",but i'm not there so maybe i'm just missing too much..

WARMBIR RESPONDS: I've been in the courtroom covering the trial every day.

The prosecution's approach has been straightforward, and so far, the defense, while scoring some points, really hasn't taken out one of their witnesses yet.

What you're not getting in the newspaper every day (either ours or the Tribune) is a recap of the testimony of every single witness at trial.

First, we don't have the space to do it. Second, sometimes these witnesses are relatively minor ones who simply confirm a few points another witness made.

Now that's important for the prosecution - having one witness independently confirm another witnesses statement - but it may not make the story.

WHAT DETAILS WHERE PROVIDED OF THE SPILOTRO SLAYINGS, CALABRESE MENTIONS STRANGULATION, WHAT ABOUT THE SEVERE BEATING THEY TOOK? WAS IT POST STRANULATION. DID THE FORCE TONY TO WATCH MICHAEL BEING BEAT? WHAT WAS ROCCO INFELICE'S ROLE?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: There have been a lot of questions from readers wanting more information on the murders.

So in the coming days, I'll be posting more information with the detailed testimony of Nicholas Calabrese, which should answer some of the questions you mention above.

Who has been at the trial, any celebrity faces associated with the mob? Has there been some laughter throughout the trial?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: No celebrity sightings as of yet, but you'll hear it here first, if and when one happens.

Despite the grim topic matter, there has been some laughter during the trial.

One time, when the defendants were going out for bathroom breaks while the trial was in session, the judge made it clear he wasn't going to stop the trial for them and that they were waiving their appearance.

Defendant Joseph Lombardo noted that he has to go a lot, which generated some laughter.

Rick Halprin, Lombardo's attorney, is known to shoot off a quick witticism.

And the judge, James Zagel, gets some chuckles for his dry wit.

I would try to recreate one of moments for you, but it's the kind of humor you have to be there for.

'No Nose' DiFronzo and 'Pizza' Al Tornabene are bulletproof, everyone in the city has known this for decades. They need to be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, Oprah, Capone, mayor daley Sr., ...whoever else you wanna throw in. Tornabene and DiFronzo, the real chicago

Does anyone know of the exact location in Bensenville the murders of the Spilotro Brothers happen? Who was the owner of the house?

Steve-I was wondering if Frank Caruso,Sr. would be brought up in this trial any more in your opinion.It seems he kind of has skated away from any wrong-doing in these indictments and testimony.

WARMBIR RESPONDS: Are you talking about the father or the son? The father is dead. The son is still with us and the one who has been mentioned most at trial.

The son, Frank "Tootsie Babe" Caruso has been mentioned at trial several times, but you're right to note he hasn't been charged with anything.

Since there's certainly going to be more discussion involving the 26th Street/Chinatown crew - the crew of Frank Calabrese Sr. and Nicholas Calabrese - it's always possible Caruso's name will come up again.

Steve, i read that Michael Talerico was "cooperating" with the FEDS in this trial, will he be testifying or is there any truth to him flippin. Also, is there a known reason that "shorty" La Mantia wasnt a "made" guy.Im pretty sure he was 100% of italian decent.

WARMBIR RESPONDS: Michael Talarico testified on July 16 with immunity.

Talarico admitted to being a bookmaker and testified that he paid Nicholas Calabrse $650 a week in street tax in the 1980s.

Talarico testified that before Nicholas Calabrese went to prison in the mid 1990s, Calabrese told him that he no longer had to pay the tax.

Calabrese's friend, Ronnie Jarrett, allegedly had other ideas.

Talarico said Jarrett insisted he keep paying, and when Talarico balked, he got jumped.

As for Shorty LaMantia, I don't know why he wasn't made, and nothing has come up about that at trial.

By turning against his family and brother, does Nick Calabrese still face the death penlty or not?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: As a result of his plea agreement, Nick Calabrese does not face the death penalty, although he still could get life in prison.

By cooperating, Nick Calabrese is hoping he's going to get something less than life in prison, but the final decision is up to the judge.

STEVE- BY THE WAY THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES.VERY INTERESTING STUFF. WHEN YOU SAY TALARICO WAS JUMPED YOU MEANT HE WAS "SLAPPED AROUND", CORRECT. ALSO, IN YOUR OPINION DO YOU KNOW IF fRANK "TOOTSIE BABE" CARUSO WILL BE TESTIFYING OR ACCUSED OF ANYTHING. IT'S BIT WEIRD TO ME HOW,WITH ALL THIS 26TH ST.CREW TALK VERY LITTLE IS MENTIONED OF HIM.

WARMBIR RESPONDS: When I say bookmaker Mike Talarico testified he was jumped, he said he was walking along with Ronald Jarrett one day and was attacked from behind by someone he said he didn't see.

I don't know if Frank "Tootsie Babe" Caruso is testifying, although if he were, I imagine it would have become known by now.

Caruso's name comes up occasionally at trial, and I suspect it may be coming up more.

Can you give background on why Tony Zizzo's photo was included as an exhibit on July 9? Any word during the trial where he is?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: No word on where he is, but I don't think we're going to be seeing Zizzo take the witness stand.

I don't recall the first time the photo was introduced, but Zizzo's name has come up a few times at trial.

He was, for instance, one of the mobsters allegedly made with Frank Calabrese Sr. and Nick Calabrese in 1983.

i am glad these loser thugs are going to rot in jail + die. the mob is for morons who are too stupid to make good money by competing fairly + it costs us all a lot of money in the long run.

RE: "'No Nose' DiFronzo and 'Pizza' Al Tornabene are bulletproof, everyone in the city has known this for decades."

1) This is an interesting comment and is apparently true. If DiFronzo has been implicated in the murder of the Spilotros (or at least identified as being there), why hasn't he been indicted, as well?

2) Why is Tornabene's name suddenly coming up, and how do people even know his name? I saw everything on ABC about the "making" ceremony, his bookmaking past, and how he had one of his lieutenants (probably) killed. But, I've also heard that he has no criminal record whatsoever. Warmbir, do you know any other details about Al Tornabene? If he was making mafiosi in the 80's, then that presupposes that he is a made man, which means--at least in Chicago--that he's murdered for the Outfit. Any speculation? How has he maintained such a low profile?

3) Who comprises the hierarchy of the Outfit? Calabrese Sr. has made it sound like Lombardo and Andriacci are nobodies. Can we assume it's DiFronzo that's boss with Tornabene as consigliere?

And who is waiting in the wings?

Here's a copy of a story I did for the Sun-Times on June 10 that answers many of your questions.

Who will be the new Tony Soprano of the Chicago mob?

With so many mob leaders on trial or dead, the Chicago Outfit is in disarray, law enforcement sources say.

It could be the "Pizza Man" acting as caretaker.

Or "No Nose" could still be pulling the strings, some Outfit watchers believe.

The "Pizza Man" is Al Tornabene, the 84-year-old former owner of a suburban pizza parlor. He has kept an extremely low profile for a reputed mob leader and has never been arrested by the FBI. Recently, his name has come up in conversations the FBI secretly recorded in prison between reputed top Chicago mob boss James "Little Jimmy" Marcello and his younger brother, Michael Marcello.

Tornabene has been seen eating in Rush Street restaurants with another top reputed mobster, Anthony "Little Tony" Zizzo, who was last seen leaving his Westmont home in August last year and hasn't been heard from since. Zizzo was responsible for overseeing one of the Outfit's most lucrative enterprises, the illegal video poker machines in bars throughout Chicago.

Tornabene has long been a mob leader, authorities say. In 1983, for instance, he presided over a ceremony at which several mobsters were inducted into full membership rights of the Outfit, court records show. Among the men who were made were Zizzo, reputed mob hit man Frank Calabrese Sr. and his brother, Nick Calabrese, who has admitted in a plea agreement with the feds that he killed at least 14 people for the Chicago Outfit. He is cooperating with the FBI.

"No Nose" is the much better known John DiFronzo, who is in his late 70s and has long been reputed to be a respected elder of the Chicago Outfit. DiFronzo is known for his business acumen and wide range of investments, including car dealerships. Some mob watchers think DiFronzo has long been rivals with James Marcello and is not overly upset over his arrest.

Tornabene hung up during a phone call Friday when asked if he was running the Outfit.

DiFronzo could not be reached for comment.

RE: "'No Nose' DiFronzo and 'Pizza' Al Tornabene are bulletproof, everyone in the city has known this for decades."

1) This is an interesting comment and is apparently true. If DiFronzo has been implicated in the murder of the Spilotros (or at least identified as being there), why hasn't he been indicted, as well?

2) Why is Tornabene's name suddenly coming up, and how do people even know his name? I saw everything on ABC about the "making" ceremony, his bookmaking past, and how he had one of his lieutenants (probably) killed. But, I've also heard that he has no criminal record whatsoever. Warmbir, do you know any other details about Al Tornabene? If he was making mafiosi in the 80's, then that presupposes that he is a made man, which means--at least in Chicago--that he's murdered for the Outfit. Any speculation? How has he maintained such a low profile?

3) Who comprises the hierarchy of the Outfit? Calabrese Sr. has made it sound like Lombardo and Andriacci are nobodies. Can we assume it's DiFronzo that's boss with Tornabene as consigliere?

And who is waiting in the wings?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: Here's the text of a story I wrote
for the June 10 edition of the Sun-Times that ABC 7 followed up on. I think it answer some of your questions.

Who will be the new Tony Soprano of the Chicago mob?

With so many mob leaders on trial or dead, the Chicago Outfit is in disarray, law enforcement sources say.

It could be the "Pizza Man" acting as caretaker.

Or "No Nose" could still be pulling the strings, some Outfit watchers believe.

The "Pizza Man" is Al Tornabene, the 84-year-old former owner of a suburban pizza parlor. He has kept an extremely low profile for a reputed mob leader and has never been arrested by the FBI. Recently, his name has come up in conversations the FBI secretly recorded in prison between reputed top Chicago mob boss James "Little Jimmy" Marcello and his younger brother, Michael Marcello.

Tornabene has been seen eating in Rush Street restaurants with another top reputed mobster, Anthony "Little Tony" Zizzo, who was last seen leaving his Westmont home in August last year and hasn't been heard from since. Zizzo was responsible for overseeing one of the Outfit's most lucrative enterprises, the illegal video poker machines in bars throughout Chicago.

Tornabene has long been a mob leader, authorities say. In 1983, for instance, he presided over a ceremony at which several mobsters were inducted into full membership rights of the Outfit, court records show. Among the men who were made were Zizzo, reputed mob hit man Frank Calabrese Sr. and his brother, Nick Calabrese, who has admitted in a plea agreement with the feds that he killed at least 14 people for the Chicago Outfit. He is cooperating with the FBI.

"No Nose" is the much better known John DiFronzo, who is in his late 70s and has long been reputed to be a respected elder of the Chicago Outfit. DiFronzo is known for his business acumen and wide range of investments, including car dealerships. Some mob watchers think DiFronzo has long been rivals with James Marcello and is not overly upset over his arrest.

Tornabene hung up during a phone call Friday when asked if he was running the Outfit.

DiFronzo could not be reached for comment.

Nicholas Calabrese gave a detailed account of how he, Marcello and Calabrese's brother, Frank Calabrese Sr., were made with several other men in a ceremony in a closed Chicago area restaurant in 1983.

Anyone know which restaurant?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: Nick Calabrese said he forgot the name of the restaurant but said it was on Roosevelt near Mannheim.

Thnx for the reply. Have not lived in the area for a long while, but grew up near the corners of Wolf and Roosevelt. Biggest outfit joint in the area was at Wolf and 22nd st, the Lilac Lodge, although there was another place at Wolf and Roosevelt named Orgos, which seemed to burn down every year or two. Corner of Roosevelt and Mannheim was the Swedish Manor but that could not have been the place. Just west of Swedish Manor were a half dozen or so small bars and such, including the oldest and my favorite, the Roundup, frequented by C. Lindbergh many years ago. There was one place just east of there that seemed more like a social club, dont even remember it having a name, just a Blatz beer sign in the window...
Anyhow, if anyone has been in the area recently, like to get an update - going on 20 years that I have not been around there...

Is it true that at the trial that it was stated that Rocky Infelise was under FBI surveillance at the time of the murder of the Spilotro brothers and therefore couldn't have been present in that Bensenville basement at the time of the murders, as stated by Nick Calabrese?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: That's the contention by Thomas Breen, the attorney for reputed top Chicago mob boss James Marcello.

Calabrese responded that he told the feds that he believed he saw Rocky Infelise at the Bensenville area home out of the corner of his eye but wasn't sure he was there.

Score one for the defense.

Tornabene a boss? Where does this information come from? I read trial transcripts from the Laborers Union trials several years ago
and the FBI was surveilling John Mattassa and Mickey Marcello at a meeting in a restaurant with Tornabene. According to the Feds, it was a very heated argument with Mattassa raising his voice and pointing his finger in Tornabene's face, indicating to the FBI that Mattassa was of a higher rank than Tornabene. If he is making people how could a guy get away with pointing a finger in his face and raising his voice to a boss without getting clipped?

WARMBIR RESPONDS: The information comes from a variety of sources, including the transcripts of secretly recorded conversations between James Marcello and his half brother, Michael, when Michael is visiting him in prison at Milan, Mich.

As for the Laborers transcripts, I recall the episode you're talking about.

Doesn't Tornabene quickly and curtly respond and immediately shut Matassa up? I believe that's how the episode ended, with Tornabene clearly in the superior role.

Thanks. I didn't know that. I don't recall if Tornabene smacked him back down or not. I'll go back and reread. Thanks for all the great coverage of the trial. Keep it up. By far the best of any news media.

You know whats funny... Gerry Scarpelli admitted to killing the Daubers with Butch Petrocelli. So how are they saying Frank C and Ronnie J did it? Somone is lying obviously.

After a brief period of coffee and conversation, the lawyer drove off. Charlotte and Billy steered the Lincoln out of the parking lot to meet their fate. When the road seemed clear Frank Calabrese allegedly swung the "work car" directly in front of the path of the Dauber vehicle, at which point the van driven by Scalise pulled up along side the Lincoln. Butch Petrocelli aimed a .30-caliber semi-automatic carbine out the window of the van and fired a volley directly at Dauber. Just in case Butch missed the mark, Gerry Scarpelli took aim with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Dauber, who was a cooperating witness for the government since his arrest on cocaine and gun charges the previous year, lost control of his car and crashed into a tree off the main highway. Petrocelli immediately ordered the van stopped in order for Scarpelli to inspect the wrecked car and apply the final touches of death if need be. "Go make sure it's done - finish it!" came the brutal directive.

Gerry Scarpelli, whose rap sheet Included 18 arrests since he came to the attention of the police in 1960, covered his face with a ski mask and walked slowly toward the bullet-pierced wreck. The Daubers were lying motionless in the car?their bodies riddled with gunshot. Scarpelli pumped two shots into Billy Dauber's head, but did not bother with Charlotte. She was already dead and beyond caring.

The van was driven into a clump of bushes down the road. Petrocelli hastily doused the vehicle with lighter fluid and set it on fire to destroy the physical evidence and any traces of fingerprints. The murder weapons were completely dismantled, chopped into small pieces and disposed of in the Cal Sag Canal from the Route 83 bridge. Nothing more was said of the grisly crime that had just been committed except for the usual massive media coverage. Neither Scarpelli nor his associates received any monies from the Outfit for their work. No payment. No vacation funds coming their way for a Las Vegas junket. .

"It was just business," a weary and slightly apoplectic Scarpelli later explained to the government.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I don't believe anyone has to necessarily be lying.

Frank Calabrese allegedly drove the car in front of the Daubers' vehicle, to ensure they slowed down enough so they could be shot from the passing vehicle.

Ronald Jarrett allegedly was driving the car with the shooters.

So I don't think the Scarpelli version you present and the one from Nick Calabrese necessarily conflict.

Referring to few posts above this one.
Anthony "LT" Zizzo. I am just wondering who on trial would benefit the most out of him disappearing?
Anyone have any ideas?

Who was Ralph Peluso and what was is role. Also is Michael Talarico the one who owns the bar at 31st and Wells.

Ralph Peluso has been identified in court as a one-time bookmaker who paid street tax to the Calabrese street crew.

Talarico, another bookmaker, was the former owner of Punchinello's on 31st.

I think they are all dirtbags and pray they rot in hell. Good riddens. They give hard-working Italian Americans and all of Chicago a bad name.

Did the younger Jarrett testify today and if so what information did he prvovide for the prosecution if any?

What other major whitnesses does the prosecution have yet to call?

Keep up the good work your coverage is best.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The younger Jarrett did testify today.

Instead of repeating myself, you can check out the story online in the Sun-Times to see what Jarrett said. There will be a blog entry or two coming up related to his testimony.

As for major witnesses, there's an interesting one up on Wednesday, Bobby "The Beak" Siegel, a
master thief and alleged killer for the mob.

Warmbir, any ideas on why DiFronzo is not on trial here? He has been fingered as being in attendance at the Bensenville murders. There's no physical evidence against Marcello, yet he was indicted. Could the Feds be building a separate case against DiFronzo & Tornabene?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I'm speculating, but prosecutors appear to have more on Marcello than just the testimony of Nicholas Calabrese.

Prosecutors are expected to play secretly recorded conversations between James Marcello and his half-brother, Michael, where they speak in code but appear to be terribly concerned about the Spilotro murders and what Nicholas Calabrese can tell the feds about the slayings.

dam you people are obsessed like 12 year old girls over some boy. take it easy nerds.

Wambir, any insight on the implication that Lombardo isn't a "made" man? I've heard that the "making ceremony" never was a big thing in Chicago. I find it hard to believe that Lombardo is just a figurehead thrown in to fool the Feds. He at least was a boss at one time, judging by the company he kept (the "Last Supper" picture).

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I think you're confusing Joey Lombardo and James Marcello.

There hasn't been any testimony about Lombardo being made.

There's been some about Marcello getting made, mainly from Nick Calabrese who said they were inducted into full mob membership together in 1983.

Marcello's attorney, Thomas Breen, pointed out that Marcello is half Irish and couldn't be made under the criteria Nick Calabrese listed, including that the inductee be fully Italian.

That said, there has been testimony that one of the other men who was made was only half Italian.

Frank Calabrese Sr. complained about this because he felt his friend and alleged fellow killer Ronald Jarrett should have been made too, except he's half Italian as well.

Steve, it appears the prosecution is trying to discredit the witnesses. But calling them a rat hardly seems like a discredit to their testimony.

What did the lawyer Lopez have to gain by calling Nick Calabrese a serial killer?

How come we haven't heard anything about The "Indian" Shiro at this point?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I don't think the prosecution is trying to discredit its own witnesses.

When the prosecution brings out something negative about a witness, say an unflattering nickname or a person's criminal record, they do it because they know the defense is aware of it and will bring it out if they don't.

By bringing the negative up first, which is called fronting it, the prosecution won't appear to the jury as if it's hiding anything from it - as the prosecution would if it didn't mention the problem.

Joe "The Shark" Lopez did throw out the serial killer question, and we can debate whether it was effective.

I think it was quite obvious to the jury that Nick Calabrese has killed a lot of people.

Lopez may have wanted to unsettle Nick Calabrese with the question and throw him off guard.

We have heard about Paul "The Indian" Schiro in testimony from Nick Calabrese. He testified about Schiro's alleged participation in the hit of Emil Vaci.

Firstly, allow me to say, I agree w/the poster above who stated about these ppl continuing to give all the honest and hardworking Americans of Italian descent (really all honest ppl of Italian descent around the world, including in Italy) an even worse name than we've already had. We've almost become comical, in some ways, but then of course there's also the sheer ferocity of these ppl and their associates, which makes it far less of a laughing matter of course in real life.

This trial is terrible for us. And I'm not just trying to be 'melodramatic' or anything about this either. This sucks, I'm serious. This is about as much fun for ppl like me, with strong and very obvious 'ethnic' Italian name who is the child of an Italian immigrant, as terrorism-related news must be for the American-born children of , say, Pakistani immigrants. We are and have been (largely at our own fault I realize) permanently tarred by the 'Mob' brush, and the notion that criminality and violence is somehow inherent to us, the same way that (some) feel today that blowing things up and sending body parts flying is inherent to Islam (to again stay w/that comparison).

All of that having been said, what of the Stone Park area?? Any mention made of that?? I have been following , online, a recent thread that has been running in a local news / msg forum, about the Galaxy Adult Book and Video Store and it's (questionable) placement in a highly residential area, and its origins in Outfit-orchestrated corruption. This is the thread, in case anyone is interested in reading more about that. But I was also wondering for anyone who's been in the court on this trial, is Stone Park / Melrose Park coming up much ,or at all? Besides just incidentally? For instance, does the name Centracchio come up at all? Or any others named in this thread about these adult stores, and extortion of them, and so on and so forth? Or has it only been the early testimony of that 'Red' Wemette guy (former porn shop owner & operator), so far? Thank you. Ciao.

http://www.topix.net/forum/city/hillside-il/TRUI8IMDCJ9DTS7B7/p3

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There's been very little mention of Stone Park and Melrose Park in the trial.

The late Tony Centracchio hasn't come up hardly at all.

The larger issue you raise is an interesting one, and I'll ask for everyone's opinion in a blog posting.

Steve, in re: some humor in the trial, I took some notes...

They take an aside at 220. It lasts till 250. Court resumes at 253. That was an awfully long time for an aside.

Lopez continues cross-examining Jr, and before the break, had told the judge he had about an hour and a half of questions left. He put his jacket back on, so I'm not blinded. [With his pink shirt]

Within 20 minutes, the prosecution objected no less than 9 times, all of which were sustained. According to the prosecution, Lopez can't stay on topic. They were largely relevance objections.

Lopez: "you didn't put (the money you stole from your father) in a bank account, did you? You didn't buy a CD with it, did you?"

Prosecution: "Objection!"

Zagel: "sustained."

And one of my favorites from that day....

It was at this point where Lopez reminds everyone that Jr pleaded guilty to extortion, where the money came largely from gambling and juice loans.

Lopez is really working hard to damage the credibility of Jr, and from the looks on some jurors faces, it might be working.

Lopez: "Your father asked you to lie?"

FCJ: "Yes."

Lopez: "Do you always obey what your father says? If your father asked you to jump out the window of this--"

The prosecution stands up.

Zagel: "that's not a relevant--"

And that was the end of that day.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: People I've talked to have different reactions on Lopez's cross. Some people see him damaging Frank Calabrese Jr.'s credibility. Others see him trying the jury's patience.

I'll guess we'll find out how successful he was at the end of the trial.

The aside you talk about is a sidebar. There have been longer ones.

In regard to Bobby "the Beak" Siegel, anything more on the murders he was granted immunity for?

Sly Moore and a Mel Young according to other reports, as well as someone he can't remeber. Hows the famlies feel abouth this? How do you forget (bet the G remebers) a third guy?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There was nothing more from his testimony, other than the fact that Siegel killed one of his victims because the man was believed to be working as a government informant.

Siegel told the feds about the murders as part of his deal.

I recall talking to one family member a few years ago, and she was outraged over the deal Siegel got.

Where's Robert Cooley when you need him. Im sure he's reading every bit of this trial and Im sure he's got the dirt on all of em.

Cooley knew nothing and still doesn't. It just so happens with the jury believed the guy and all the BS he spewed. He made up some good stories.

"Lombardo is housed at the federal lockup in the Loop, where Operation Family Secrets defendants have been abuzz at talk that Difronzo may be cooperating with the government, an unlikely scenario that defense lawyers deny." (Chuck Goudie, ABC News, c. 2006).

Is this still a realistic concern for Lombardo, Marcello, et al.?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I don't think it is a realistic concern for the defendants on trial.

I read Cooley's book.

I love that guy.

I think he exaggerated his good deeds and minimized his bad ones. Other than that, I think his change of heart about helping criminals prevented Chicago from becoming Gotham city.

I've never heard any of his claims contested by anyone except the accused criminals.

He went from the scum of the earth, to a hero worthy of respect for daring to challenge a deeply corrupted establishment.

Yeah your right, only the accused would question them cause the Fibs only care about a conviction of SOMEBODY - not necessarily the guilty ones.

You love the guy? yet you have never met him. Does he tell in his how he got slapped around once or twice for trying to act like a tough guy?

There was sworn testimony in Federal Court in 1973 that Billy Dauber admitted to killing 31 people, including 3 over Labor Day weekend in 1972.

As bad as some of the individuals may be who are on trial, he was worse as a killer.

F Lee Bailey and his partner got an acquittal in Indiana on one of the murders but he was a very feared man, even among outfit members. Scarpelli's "suicide" while in the MCC was interesting, particularly since it occurred after it was revealed he had talked to the FBI.

Billy and his second wife were in an Oldsmobile 98 or Regency, not a Lincoln, but there are those who would say that killing him was a public service!!

During one of his trials in which Jimmy "the Bomber" Catura was a co-defendant (72 CR 95) he actually tried to choke Lou Rosanova for a derogatory comment he made about a witness friend of his while the jury was still in court!

No outfit guys wanted to ride in the front seat if he was in the back for fear that this might be their last ride. He left a trail of dead bodies during his career as part of an extremely violent 26th Street bunch.

He split his time between Jimmy Catura and the guys from the Heights.

Who is Frank Giduce?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Frank Giudice is a businessman who happened to be a good friend of Nick Calabrese.

Giudice would visit Calabrese in prison and wound up being the courier who transported hush money to Calabrese's family.

Frank Giudice testified that he would transport $4,000 a month from Michael "Mickey" Marcello, James Marcello's half-brother, to Calabrese's wife.

Prosecutors have charged that James Marcello arranged the payments because he wanted Nick Calabrese to remain silent over James Marcello's participation in the murders of the Spilotro brothers.

Doesn't anyone find it a little strange that Nick Calabrese cannot remember the exact house that the Spilotros were allegedly murdered at?

Anytime the alleged crime scene is mentioned it is refered to as a Bensenville area home.

Come on! The guy claims that he was present and took part in one of the most notorious mob murders in recent history but he can't drive around the neighborhood with the feds and point out the house? What a load of garbage.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Nick Calabrese has identified the subdivision where the murders occured but could not point the FBI to the house, according to trial testimony.

The defense will likely point to this as a reason not to trust anything Nick Calabrese has to say.

The prosecution will likely argue that Nick Calabrese's memory may be faulty on some details after 20 years or more, but many of the details of his accounts have been confirmed by other witnesses at trial.

Make of it what you will.

STEVE WARMBIR, JOHN FECAROTTA WAS A UNION BUSINESS AGENT IN JOHN SERPICO'S UNION FOR MANY YEARS, BEFORE A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FORCED SERPICO TO TERMINATE HIS EMPLOYMENT.

I NOTED IN THE SUN TIMES ARTICLE "DID FEDS KILL OFF THE MOB" THAT SERPICO WAS CONVICTED IN A LOAN SCHEME.

I MISSED EVERYTHING ON SERPICO'S INDICTMENT AND CONVICTION. WOULD YOU PLEASE FILL ME IN.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Chicago labor leader John Serpico was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in 2002 for taking a kickback and arranging sweetheart loans for himself after depositing his workers' money in banks willing to play ball with him.

He's been out of prison for more than two years.

Frank, you don't know nothing. The 26th street bunch are a bunch of pancake-eaters.

And Frank the German would kick Dauber's butt...he's the most feared to this day, other than Nitti from the 40s. But you wouldn't know that since you've never hung wit this crew like I have. THAT'S why rush street runs everything and we know who's really in charge of the outfit.

Big Earl you hung with no one and don't even know anyone. 26th street would eat any of the makeup wearing guys from Rush street for breakfast - not pancakes. You have no clue who runs the outfit. If you knew you wouldn't be boasting that here would you? Its NONE of the pimps from Rush street that for sure.

Where is frank schweihs? will he ever stand trial , what kind of cancer is he suffering with and does he receive treatmet in jail?

Is Nancy Spilotro expected to testify? I shake my head wondering how this can be interpretted since so much of the Spilotros lives were spent living off the the fat of their crimes,seems as if it might not play well.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Frank Schweihs has been officially separated from the trial and won't be testifying. He's still a defendant.

He has cancer and is getting treatment. I don't know what kind of cancer.

Since the matter involves a personal health issue, and Schweihs has medical privacy rights, the entire issue has been handled out of public earshot.

I've heard he's not doing well. But if he makes a recovery, he'll go to trial separately.

Nancy Spilotro is not expected to testify. Michael Spilotro's wife, Ann, and daughter, Michelle, testified Thursday.

The best part is, I do know who's in charge of the Outfit and he's near retirement anyway. So this trial is going to throw everything up in arms. The people from Rush Street are not pimps--they're merely womanizers.

I've hung with all three crews and I can say that Frank the German was the most feared.

Frank Bob & Big Shirley are a couple of dingleberries!!! If you two ding bats knew anything or anyone you would have your asses kicked for even posting b.s. like you have on this site.
Get back to reality and go back about your pathetic lives!

Steve, you say that Nick Calabrese identified the subdivision but not the house.

I hope the defense does jump all over that. If Nick Calabrese was there, he should be able to rember everything about the exact house down to the color of the tile in the basement.

I dont care if his memory is a little faulty after 20 years, nobody would forget where they were if present at that murder scene.

You state that many of the details of his accounts have been confirmed by other witnesses.

Has anybody else that has testified identified the house in Bensenville?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There's been no testimony as to the actual house the murders took place.

Steve, Not aure my questions are getting thru so I'm resubmitting a few. what does the prosecution think they can gain bringing the Spilotro family in to testify?

I think the jury will look at them with the same cold hard stares they reserve for people who seemingly have benefitted from the mob, which they have.

I don't feel there is much symapthy coming from this group of jurors.

Its unfortuante that anyone got killed but it seems ironic that the spilotros are tying to avenge Michael and Tonys death--i think its fair to say what goes around come around--let it go.No one wanted any of it to happen ut it did.

The 2 wedding photos posted on the DOJ site , what is the relevance?

Besides the calabrese testimony has there een any testimony to support schiros alledged participation in the murders?

The case seems weak, at least against Schiro.

They dont have him on tape ..what do they have?

Looks like they got nothing. How many more years is he serving in prison over the jewelry thing? who else was on trial for the jewelry theft ring?

What did Emil Vaci's daughter testify to?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you and others on your questions.

What you all don't see is the mass of questions I'm getting.

Don't get me wrong. I love answering the questions. Keep them coming. Just give me a little time to answer them.

Some of them are easy to answer. Others take time to research. And I want to get you the most accurate facts possible.

So hang in there, posters. I haven't forgotten about you.

And now, the answers:

Spilotro testimony
The prosecution called Ann and Michelle Spilotro for a couple of reasons.

Ann Spilotro testified that she went to Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo for answers on the murder of her husband, Michael.

Lombardo allegedly said the hits wouldn't have happened if he had been out of prison. Lombardo was in prison in 1986.

Prosecutors can point to that statement and say that Lombardo had the power to call off the hit.

Lombardo's defense attorney, Rick Halprin, suggested through his questioning that Lombardo was offering only comfort to a family friend and nothing else.

Ann Spilotro also said she went to James Marcello when she felt she got taken advantage of in a real estate deal.

She said she believed Marcello was in a position to help.

Again, prosecutors can use that statement to show Marcello's alleged power as a mob leader.

Michelle Spilotro identified James Marcello as the man who called her home at least once asking for her father, Michael, the day her dad went off for a meeting that he never returned from.

Her testimony ties James Marcello circumstantially to the Spilotro murders.

As for the jury, I don't know why they wouldn't have some compassion, at least for Michael's daughter, Michelle.

After all she couldn't pick who her father or uncle was.

Also, from having covered a lot of trials, jurors often appear somewhat stonefaced.

Consider these jurors especially. They've heard about 18 terrible murders. I would imagine they're a little numb by now.

Paul Schiro
Schiro was sentenced in May 2002 to 65 months in prison — more than 5 years for those who don't want to do the math — for his role in the jewelry theft ring run by former top Chicago cop William Hanhardt.

He's currently in custody for the Family Secrets case.

The key evidence involving Schiro's involvement in the murder of Emil Vaci is the testimony Nicholas Calabrese.

There's not going to be anyone else directly involved in the murder who can testify because they are all dead besides Calabrese.

You've had other witness' testimony confirming aspects of Calabrese's story about the murder, but nothing on Schiro's direct participation.

Emil Vaci's stepdaughter was one of several witnesses who said Vaci and Schiro were friends out in Arizona. She also painted a picture of the whole scene out there.

And wrapping up, let's address the two wedding photos of the DOJ's web site containing evidence published at trial.

The one photo is from the Laura Cinquini wedding. She is the daughter of the late Joseph Hansen. She testified at trial.

Hansen is accused of taking part in the hit on Emil Vaci.

Hansen allegedly helped Nicholas Calabrese pull Emil Vaci into a van and then drove off while Calabrese shot Vaci a few times in the head.

Hansen also was accused in testimony of taking part in the hit of Daniel Seifert in 1974.

The photo does nothing more than show Joseph Hansen, dressed in white, and Paul Schiro, the man with the mustache, associating with one another.

It shows Schiro was close enough to Hansen to be invited to his daughter's wedding.

As for the other photo, at Nicholas Calabrese's wedding, it shows Nancy Mancini, who testified at trial, with her common-law husband William "Butch" Petrocelli and mobster Rocco Infelise.

I think that covers the questions.

I would agree that that "the German" was and presumably is still feared among his associates.

In our current days of reality TV too bad we couldn't stage a cage UFC like event between between Billy Dauber (German/Irish) and Big Frankie.

PPV revenues would be outstanding, minus of course the "taste" we'd have to pay whoever claimed us in the Outfit!!

All I know was no one ever wanted to see these guys on their doorstep or sitting behind them in a car or elsewhere.

Everyone knows that shorty Lamantia was next in line to be the head of Chicago...he was a favorite of Angelo LaPietra, and he would have upped him had he not died.

That's what Frank and Bobby don't understand. These were my people.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The testimony at trial was that Joseph "Shorty" LaMantia was never made into the Chicago Outfit.

So it's unclear to me how he would be next in line to run the Chicago Outfit.

This is a little of the subject but what is the outfits relationship with New York past and present ?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There are probably other readers out there more knowledgeable about the relationship than I am, so I'll let them take a crack at it first.

Steve,

I agree with some of the other comments made about Nick C's memory, If I were on the jury I would find his detailed memory of the hambone, butch and vaci murders, which included many details, and his lack of details in the spilotro murder to be an intresting contrast.

It does appear that the feds are coaching. The less he says about the details, the less that can be contradicted by the defense.

The feds had a open and shut case to put Frank Sr away, and wanted headlines by putting Lumbo and Little Jimmy in the indictment.

It may come back to haunt them.

Nick C's comments to Pat Spilotro about being home by Christmas is all I would need to cast a reasonable doubt about Nick C's motivation to lie. We shall see.

As for Lombardo, they don't seem to have much of a case against him, other than the old tapes for which he already did his time.

I will be very interested to see what the defense has to say about Rocco Infelice being under survellience during 1986.

Because the way the Spilotro's where done in was his "style" Look at B J Jahoda's testomony from the about the bookmaker in Lake County being beaten to death.

Why is there even a case against the clown ?

They have a finger print on a title application, a witness who thinks its him because someone at Seifert crime scene build was similar to Lombardos ?

Sure he had the motive ! From what I gather he also had a pretty solid alibi.

They say the feds usaully have air tight cases, this doesnt seem so air tight or am i missing something ?

Are they holding out on us ?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Here is the prosecution's case so far against Joseph Lombardo.

Witnesses identified him as purchasing the police scanner found in the mob "work" car recovered after the slaying of Daniel Seifert.

Lombardo left his print on a title application for the same car.

A witness, Alva Johnson Rodgers, said he heard Lombardo the day after the slaying say words to the effect that the SOB, referring to Seifert, wouldn't be testifying against anyone.

Another witness, Seifert's widow, Emma, said she believe one of the masked men at the murder was similar in size, weight and lightness on his feet as Lombardo.

She testified she immediately told her brother-in-law of her suspicion, and he confirmed her testimony.

Nicholas Calabrese, a prolific Outfit killer, said his fellow hitman, John Fecarotta, filled him in about the murder.

Fecarotta named Lombardo as one of the participants in the hit, Calabrese said.

Lombardo's defense is that he was busy reporting his stolen wallet to police at the time miles away. I'm sure we'll see evidence related to this introduced as part of his case in about two weeks or so.

Warmbir, I have a question about being "made" in Chicago. When I read about Nick Calabrese's description of the 1983 finger-pricking, holy card-burning traditional mafia induction cermony that was conducted by Aiuppa and Tornabene, I was surprised.

I've always read that this procedure was exclusive to the East Coast La Cosa Nostra organizations. Different sources (e.g. "Double Cross", the Roemer memoirs, etc.) report that, going back to Capone, the Outfit has always dismissed this ceremony as childish pomp and circumstance.

To my knowledge, becoming "made" in Chicago was like entering into a business relationship, with nothing ceremonial about the initiation.

New members were reported to be congratulated with a handshake by the men comprising the Outfit's hierarchy and were subject to an orientation lecture, etc.

Has this ceremony been a well-kept secret in Chicago?

Was it a one-time thing, an anomoly that the Calabrese brothers and Marcello happen to participate in?

Or is Nick Calabrese embellishing the story to help convince the jury?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Here's what we've got concerning the 1983 making ceremony of Nick and Frank Calabrese.

Nick Calabrese testified about it in 2007.

Frank Calabrese told roughly the same story to his son when his son secretly tape recorded him 1999 when they were both in prison. Jurors heard the excerpts.

Nick has not heard the tapes.

So we're left with two possible scenarios.

The two brothers were made together and what they are saying happened actually happened.

Or the brothers agreed to tell a lie and have kept on telling the same lie for 20 years or more.

Judge for yourself.

Also, if a criterion for becoming "made" is being 100% Italian, will either of the Marcello's be subject to some kind of "corrective action" by anyone, given their Irish heritage?

(I've heard that there have been a few famous mobsters who, as it turns out, are not-full blooded Italian; e.g., Junior Gotti and Frank Salemme).

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There have been a number of instances of men being made into the Chicago mob who were not fully Italian.

Also, there's been no testimony that Mickey Marcello was ever made into the mob.

On more than one occassion, the big black cars from Chicago would make
an appearance outside Patrick Spilotro's dental practice in Watseka (about
15 miles from where his brothers' bodies were buried just outside Willow
Slough); there would be some tension in the air until they left; never
understood what the nervousness was all about until reading about
those bodies in '86.
Guess being in the business of associating doesn't make one part of "The
Business."
May the good Doctor exact his revenge on these criminals.

Steve,
Doesn't seem like thats much of a case against Lombardo on the Seifert case. He may have been in the car at some point, so what.Mrs. Seifert "thinks" it was him and shared it with her brother in law because the guy was similar in size?
"John F told Nick C " who was there, and what makes him so credible? Are we suggesting A: These men never lied to one another or B.Nick C is suddenly Mr. Upstanding? Doesn't wash with me , how about you ? Is this enough proof to find him guilty? I don't think I could .

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It doesn't matter what I think. The only folks who really matter are the jurors.

I'm just here to give you the facts.

Lombardo's defense attorney, Rick Halprin, made a clever argument asking why Fecarotta, a made man, would tell Nick Calabrese, who wasn't made at the time, about a murder that would get Fecarotta life in prison at best if it ever came out.

More food for thought.

I believe State Sen. Jame DeLeo (D-Chicago) has been mentioned several times since the beginning of the trial.

Has there been any other mention of Illinois state lawmakers during the trial?

Does any testimony explain DeLeo's relationship to the mob (other than Anne Spilotro's testimony that he and his partner screwed here out of a bar)?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: DeLeo was mentioned once at trial, and it was noted in the story.

There hasn't been any mention of any other state lawmakers.

There was no testimony about any ties of DeLeo to the mob.

I LIKE TO TELL PAT SPILOTRO & ANN SPILOTRO
WHEN MIKE & TONY WERE DOING THE KILLING IT WAS OK.
BUT WHEN THEY GOT IT------ITS NOT ALRIGHT

I can say one thing from growing up in Bridgeport the German was probably one feared individual, but the Hook was no light weight.

This guy was pretty feared and ran China town with an iron hand.

My brother and me knew a former co-worker who was stealing cars in Indiana and was dumping what was left of them them on 26th, under the bridges near Canal street.

He told me and my brother one day several guys approached him coming out of a store on 31st and took him to the Hook's house so he claimed.

He stated he was told one more car gets dumped in the neighborhood they would find him in the trunk. He stated the Hook told him he was brining heat into the neighborhood. He smiled and stated his knees were shaking and he did not dare to deny anything!

He said that these guys were scary!

This guy seemed pretty believable especially when he pointed out the Hooks house, its somewhat like a fortress in the middle of an average neighborhood.

Some of the pictures of mob guys that the Sun-times is displaying I have seen them a time or two but would have never made them for mob guys.

There were some others that I did know were connected but they were pretty friendly and some had businesses.

You don't live in Bridgeport for 30 years or so and not see some of these guys!

As for some of the unfortunate guys who got killed well lets say this much, when you live by the sword you die by it.

They were killers, thieves, and outright gangsters who crossed the line they swore to abide by when they signed up with the mob!

When those that knew they would be punished by the law for their crimes they turned informant!

Only in America can people like this have the government support them for who knows how long, and can even get away with outright murder because they did it for the mob, and now they will turn into a rat!

I DO LIKE THAT WORD IT TRULY FITS! Frank Jr is a prime example of someone who loved doing the things he did and now Dad is the complete bad guy who terrorized his family!

I don't buy it but the Feds wanted Sr bad and what a better witness! Jr only wanted to stay out of prison, SHOCK! He stole money, used drugs, and pushed people around, but now he wants to turn a new leaf. Jr could have made a choice early in life, if he really wanted too!

I am sorry if I say he is a piece of garbage! I wonder if the mob was going to do Jr in before he turned rat. You can bet your bottom dollar there is a contract on him now!

Steve,
Yes the brothers Frank and Nick may have done some of the things they testified to,and they may not get life in prison,but when the one man dies that they fear the most, the brothers and the son Frank JR.will be out and in a witness protection program

They make a deal with the feds to clean up the Chicago mob in particular the 26th street crew,and help so the feds can clean their books, and give them a head start on up and comers. Thats not to fictional Steve.Like God the G works in mysterious ways.What a way to get the spotlight.

STEVE WARMBIR NOTES: Just to clear up a few matters from your post.

Frank Calabrese Sr. is on trial. He stands accused of 13 murders.

His brother, Outfit serial killer Nick Calabrese, has already pleaded guilty and testified against the men on trial in the case.

Frank Calabrese Sr.'s son, Frank Jr., is not in prison now nor is he charged in the current case. He testified against his father.

I know Dr. John Pless testified in 2005 and recently that there is no evidence that the Spilotro brothers were buried alive.

However, I can tell you that Dr. Pless opined to his colleagues in forensic medicine, almost to a profesional brag, that their lungs were full of dirt and sand, and that they were buried alive.

Did the Doctor embellish or tailor his testimony to specifically fit the facts that the Feds wanted to present?

This is not uncommon for Forensic Pathologists, who should be independent but often are easily swayed toward becoming advocates for the prosecution.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: What you're saying makes no sense.

There's a difference between shading or embellishing testimony and outright lying.

It wouldn't make any sense for Pless to do that.

Pless and another doctor prepared reports on their autopsies after they were done in 1986.

So, according to your premise, both Pless and the other doctor would have agreed right after the autopsies to lie in their reports that there was no evidence that the men were buried alive.

Pless and his colleague would have done this because they would have had a crystal ball that told them that this was precisely what the prosecution needed in this case.

What you're saying makes no logical sense.

Is it true that the U.S. Senator Lombardo tried to bribe took the money and was never prosecuted. I heard that there is alot more to the story and that the senator should of been jailed to. Is there any truth to this ?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The bribe didn't involve cash but a piece of property that was being developed across the street from the home of Sen. Howard Cannon in Las Vegas.

You're right that Cannon was never prosecuted or even charged.

The bribe for Cannon was never consummated.

I've read that U.S. Department of Justice at the time declined to prosecute Cannon, and the decision was controversial within the department.

I agree with the posters about the Spilotro family, and Pat Spilotro's promise to his mother b.s.

All the men who Tony killed. What about their mothers?

I'd like to see him acknowledge that his brother Tony was a scumbag, just like the guys who killed him.

I agree with Cicero, Tony Spilotro is a scum bag who left quite a few families with love ones too bury

He truly got what he deserved and thought he was the king pin and did what he felt like doing!

I just think how interesting it is when gangsters like Tony meet their fate! Too bad his brother wasn't smart enough to stay clear like his other brother the dentist.

Of course his wife would shed a tear and weep when she took the stand, but I hope she can realize that there were those who did not make it home to their love ones because of Tony!

I was just thinking, is the dentist the guy who fixed up Calaberese after he got shot in the arm?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: No, that's not the man.

I know this, anyone who knows anything about these guys is that they are a group of sociopaths who thrive on opportunity when people are at their weakest. I've been around this guys at the clubs and most of them are friendly; the rest are quiet and you wouldn't know they are connected--unless you are in debt to them or have crossed them.

I grew up in Melrose, and worked briefly with the DEA, so I have good insight.

This is why the show, "The Sopranos" is so accurate. They are real people functioning in society--buying bread at a grocery store, picking up coffee in the morning, worrying about their daughters.

They generally are not flamboyant or showoffs. They wear pressed pants with a sweatshirt. They swear a lot and complain. But, and this is the point, they can be a ruthless and manipulative as any homicidal maniac in prison.

And that's what makes them so dangerous.

Pat Spilotro (The Dentist)said Lombardo told him that there were people in New York trying to take over the Chicago Outfit.

Can anyone please explain why he would possibly tell this to a dentist ?

Also, could there possibly be any truth this statement ?

I have never heard of something so ridiculous ! Does anyone have any input on this statement ?

Was Lombardo testing the dentist ?

Also, Why does this dentist persue his borthers attackers so fiercly ?

His brothers were involved with organized crime they killed people too, the were not law abiding citizens.

Personally I feel that him being a doctor might give a little more credibilty than say Nick Calabrese but I do feel that he also may have his own reasons to lie.

Considering that he feels that his brother the pope and the arch bishop shouldn't havent been dealt the same fate as some of their victims.

Can you elaborate on any facts about the alleged conversation between Pat Spilotro and Joe Lombardo about New York trying to muscle in on the Chicago Outfits operations?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Pat Spilotro offered no other details during his testimony about that conversation.

Back to the Chicago-New York relationship.

Does anyone know anything about this? Spilotro's testimony that per his conversation with Lombardo people from New York were/are trying to take control of the Outfit is extremely interesting. Is this the first anyone's heard of this?

I think a number of posters here have hit the nail on the head.

All of us can understand surviving family members' sense of loss but virtually every "Outfit" victim" here left a trail of bereaved family members of those they whacked themselves and everyone, including wives,brothers,sisters and children knew these guys were not members of the Knights of Columbus collecting on candy days for disabled children.

One way or another they shared in the spoils of their crimes...there's no Friday night paycheck in the Outfit and once you take that first step in you only leave feet first..either natural causes or a very brief "illness".

Tony Spilotro, in the M&M murders put a guy's head in a vice and bragged his eyeball fell out. It sounds like he was dispatched much more humane way than some of his victims.

I recall hearing a few years back a New York connected guy was trying to open a strip club in the south burbs.

Maybe this is the Chicago/New York problem Lombardo was complaining about.

Refering to the Chicago-New York Relationship.

I do know that in early 2000 an alleged Bonanno solider Vincent R. Amarante, of New York, was arested by Chicago police at a suburban Strip Club he owned outside the city. The charges were related to prostitution and alleged gambling.

Either Mr. Amarante had permission from the Outfit to operate in Chicago or as Joey Lombardo referred to this may have been an early attempt by a New York family to muscle their way into Chicago.

Hello. I have a few questions that I would like to clear up.

It appears Lombardo has gone the route saying he "quit the mob" back in 1992.

I was wondering what has the prosecution presented to show that Lombardo was engaged in said conspiracy after 1992?

From my understanding, RICO indictments can only come within 5 years of the most recent offense, meaning there is a statute of limitations of a sort.

Wouldn't the prosecution have to have some charge
against him that ties him with the said "oraganization" that represents the O in RICO within the last 5 years?

I'm aware of the 1974 murder charge.

I thought murder wasnt a federal crime on most levels, only the conpsiracy to commit the murder (the C in RICO.)

Maybe I'm interpreting the law wrong, who knows. Any clarifications that could help would b great.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I'm no expert on RICO law, but here's my understanding of the charges against Lombardo.

He isn't charged with murder. In fact, if he were to walk on the federal charges, a county prosecutor could still charge him with the murder.

He is accused of taking part in the 1974 murder of a federal witness as part of the ongoing conspiracy perpetuated by the Chicago Outfit.

The federal witness was to testify against Lombardo in a mob-related case, and that witness was killed to silence him, prosecutors say.

You're basically right on the 5 year provision.

That's what Lombardo has based his defense on.

He's saying he long retired from the mob and never was in the leadership.

He even took out an ad in a Chicago newspaper when he got out of prison in the early 1990s, saying he wasn't in the mob and wanted anyone to report him to his probation officer if he was seen with Outfit guys.

Part of the withdrawal defense is that you have to announce your withdrawal from the conspiracy.

Expect Lombardo to point to that ad as his announcement.

So what has Lombardo do recently to tie him to the Outfit?

Pat Spilotro, a dentist and brother of slain gangsters Michael and Anthony Spilotro, testified that he had a conversation with Lombardo in December 2002.

Spilotro had known Lombardo for decades and was his dentist.

Spilotro said Lombardo told him that New York mobsters were trying to take over certain functions of the Chicago Outfit and this upset him.

If true, that shows Lombardo knew about the inner workings of the mob. Expect prosecutors to say that conversation showed he was still active.

Also, Lombardo went on the lam before the indictments came down in April 2005.

So did another reputed mob killer, Frank Schweihs.

Prosecutors may argue that Lombardo knew to take off because he was still part of the mob and had access to its pipeline of inside information on the case.

Expect Lombardo's attorney to counter that Lombardo took off because he had been informed of a death threat by the FBI.

Either way, in recent years, Lombardo has kept an extremely low profile.

That low profile and his unusual withdrawal defense have presented prosecutors with a challenge.

On the lighter side . I was a witness in this trial, somewhat reluctant i might add and also added nothing in my opinion.

Anyway the prosecutors office was sort of forced to put me up at a hotel that was out of thier usual budget because there was nothing ele available.

I met with Mr Scully and an FBI agent the evening prior to my testimony.

I was curious as to what they thought i had to say.

I saw quite a few FBI agents running around the hotel and it was clear they had several witneses staying there.

That evening when i was going to sleep i heard what sounded like a round of gunshots- not that i know what that sounds like of course- I thought, "hmmm dont let your imagination run away with you" then another round....then i thought " you'd be a fool to dismiss the sound of gunshots in this environment, i mean anything is possible i suppose".a lot of "what ifs" followed my thought process....so i called the front desk and said "i know it sounds nuts ut i feel like i may be hearing gunshots" and she laughed and said they were filming Batman right outside the hotel.

Needless to say it was a sleepless night but only because the crew made so much noise...

Its ok to post this , they did not ty to hide any of the witnesses...we weren't rats we were just innocent citizens dragged into this trial for seemingly no purpose.

Did the FBI actually inform Lombardo of death threats ? Did they happen to mention who the threats were from ?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: This came out during a question from Lombardo's attorney, Rick Halprin, during a cross.

The judge shut Halprin down, so no details came out.

For Halprin to bring it out, he likely had some good faith reason to do it, so expect to hear more during Lombardo's defense.

Here's the thing: The chances of all these guys being convicted are becoming greater and should be bettered when the prosecution shoots down the defense's claims.

Which leads to a turnover in the Outfit, which has led to New York working their way into Chicago's territory. Naturally the raquets are going to be the prime target, but the Rosemont Casino and other hi-profile, high-revenue sources have been the target, according to people in the Bronx Area.

Though not as violent as the '70s and '80s, there could be some retaliation between the two La Cosa Nostra organizations, particularly over the South Side strip clubs. Look at some of the casinos in Chinatown to be another prime target of one of the family's New York.

Even more weird, there's a rumor that another one of the members of the Outfit could be flipping because of an intent to distribute charge in exchange for three seperate cases that took place in 1995, 96 and 97 for gambling and extortion.

More guys could be going down.

So who knows.

when will the santiago proffer of nick calabrese be availible
to view fully without witnesses blacked out, also when will the government list of witnesses not used be availible to the public?

STEVE WARMBIR: I don't expect either document will likely ever be available publicly.

I'll write later on this week on the blog on the witnesses who weren't called.

On the NY thing. It is a cooperative effort on strip clubs with national names like SCORES(NY). OR CRAZY HORSE TOO (CHI) The have worked together forever when it benefits both.

NY could not muscle in on CHI local rackets or vise versa. The will sit down and cooperate if there is money for both, and have done so all along in union issues, in vegas, L.A., CUBA in the 50's etc.

In regard to Pete Wacks (ex FBI):

Steve,
Nothing in the local news about this agent providing info to Marcello? Listen to the Milan tapes, plain as day man. You guys (local news)really got the run on the local CPD covering for the outfit but when it comes to the FBI no press.

I'd like to hear your story on this one. I am getting tired of the FBI running around all high and mighty but as it comes out in small pieces we see they are just the same as the other dirty cops you run across every once and a while.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Nate, it might be plain as day to you, but it's not to me.

I don't know if James Marcello is telling his half-brother, Mickey, that Wacks is giving up information or if Wacks would be a great guy to hire to find out information.

At the time of the conversation, Wacks was a retired FBI agent and working as a private investigator. He did work for the late Don Stephens, which brought Wacks quite a bit of controversy. If I remember that correctly, we covered that extensively. I don't believe anyone felt Wacks got a pass on that one.

At trial, the Marcellos' conversation wasn't explained. Wacks may be a witness later on, so we'll see if he's asked about it.

Either way, I don't think we've given federal law enforcement a pass.

We've not been shy at all about covering the allegations that a U.S. Deputy Marshal allegedly shared secrets with the Outfit.

I've seen a few comments about Pete Wacks, the former FBI agent.

Pete was one of the main investigative agents (along with postal inspectors and IRS agents) who handled the original case in which Daniel Seifert was to testify.

Along with Lombardo, Tony Spilotro,Irv Weiner and Alan Dorfman were co-defendants. Pete also worked tirelesly on operation Pendorf, the investigation of Alan Dorfman and the Teamsters Pension Fund.

Outfit guys are, among other things, blowhards, who sometimes brag, claim they have connections etc to impress their associates.

Pete's integrity was and is, in my opinion, beyond reproach.

The enviornment at the upper reaches of the Justice Department in the mid 70's was not conducive to law enforcement activities against certain people, including a sitting US Senator.

Jim Thompson and those who worked under his direction did their best and a number of key matters were blocked by Attorneys General and those who appointed them who subsequently ended up in trouble themselves.

Lawyers represent alleged unsavory clients but they should not be associated with their clients alleged activities.

Same applies to whoever Pete's clients were after leaving government service.

Many leave government service with information that stays confidential and protected.

An ambiguous conversation, coded and subject to the comment above should not lead to unwarrented speculation about a dedicated agent.

I agree w/the posters above who have stated about Dr.Spilotro's deceased brothers.

They were both scumbags in the worst way.

Anthony was a ruthless killer with some say two dozen kills (that would make him like a serial killer wouldn't it?).

If anything, perhaps the younger brother , Michael, didn't deserve to get killed that way.

But he too was a scumbag nonetheless, by all accounts, if not an out and out killer like Anthony (see "Casino": Joe Pesci plays Anthony Spilotro, except with the name changed).

Their dad Pasquale was a hardworking immigrant (born in Italy) who died of a massive coronary while working in his restaurant in the old neighborhood.

Now look what just two brothers gone bad (way bad) have done to these people's name in this country forever.

For Mr. Warmbir, does Lombardo still look like Saddam Hussein on the day he was captured by US forces, or has he cleaned himself up yet?

Personally, I think all 5 will no doubt (and should no doubt) be convicted and given whatever the respective max sentences are. Mark my words; these guys are going down.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Lombardo has definitely gotten a makeover since he was arrested.

He's clean shaven and wears a suit on the witness stand.

I thought Lombardo had amazing recollection of the facts and issues in the Teamsters case.

One thing he said differed from my recollection of that case.

He said that Senator Cannon initiated the whole thing, by calling Dorfman and asking for help getting the property.

The testimony in the Teamsters trial made it sound like the defendants cooked up the scheme on their own to try to bribe the Senator.

So if it started with a call from the Senator, why wasn't Senator Cannon indicted along with the defendants?

Were the prosecutors afraid of politicians? Or is Lombardo making things up?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It's been a while since I read the case file on the case, but Cannon and his son-in-law were active participants.

I've never heard the local prosecutors were shy about indicting politicians in the case. I think it would have been the call of the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C.

Lets see, Nick Calabrese has testified that.....

A.) He cant recall the house or relative locale of where the spilotro slayings took place....
B.) He is stating that 10-12 men participated in a sanctioned hit of one of the most media prolific wiseguys of that era. A dozen men? Goes against the grain of how accardo s outfit operated. Never in organized crime have that many men been involved in a simple double hit.
C.) he stated that he, nick calabrese, a nobody, who wasnt even listed in the chicago's crime commision 1983 outfit chart which featured over 200 names of bossess, capos, lieutenants, soldiers, and asscociates, can testify that the acting boss at the time, joe ferriola, had tacit involvement in the spilotro hits. Cmon. A soldier like n calabrese would be lucky if he would be bale to be in the same restuarant as an acting boss. Fecoratta told him that lombardo told John FEC that he lombardo was involved in the seifert slaying. Give me a break. Those guys dont talk to each other about anything of the nature.....especially uncle joey.

STEVE, were the defense lawyers able to really rip into N Calabrese' s credibilty and believability as the govt star witness?

IVe read testimonies from other major turncoats-caramandi in philly, fratiano, leonetti in AC, and none seemed as weak and incredulous as n calabrese?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Let me amend a few points in your summary of Nick Calabrese's testimony.

1. He can't recall the house where he killed the Spilotros. He does remember the subdivision where the house was.

2. He does state roughly a dozen men were involved.

3. He's not on the 1983 crime commission chart. But those charts are not all inclusive by any stretch. Just because he's on the chart doesn't mean a whole lot.

Also, the Fecarotta testimony you mention is not quite right.

Nick Calabrese's testimony was that John Fecarotta told him that Fecarotta was involved in the Seifert hit, along with Lombardo and others.

Nick Calabrese's testimony appeared to suffer when he repeatedly blamed his brother for getting him involved in mob killings.

Nick Calabrese took responsibility for the murders but appeared to hurt himself when he kept referring to his brother, Frank Calabrese Sr., essentially forcing him to do them.

In all, though, Nick Calabrese stuck to his account of the murders and wasn't really rattled all that much during cross-examination by defense attorneys.

Later testimony in the case has corroborated details that Nick Calabrese mentioned about the murders.

There is one significant point the defense could score on Nick Calabrese.

During his testimony on the Spilotro murders, he said he saw mobster Rocky Infelise out of the corner of his eye in the house.

Attorneys for reputed Chicago mob boss James Marcello are going to introduce federal wiretaps on Infelise's home phone the day the Spilotro brothers were killed to show that Infelise was home at the time.

In regard to Pete Wacks comments by Frank:

Frank I have to agree with Nate on this Wacks thing. Looks like you posted a few hours too early this morning. I was just reading about Wacks having some kind of "relationship" with the widow Seifert. This came out after FBI (retired) agent Wacks testified for the defense a few hours after your post.

So what are you trying to say? Maybe the Justice department stopped the investigation back in the 70's? Also you mentioned outfit guys bragging alot, well this case is based in part on one outfit guy bragging to his son. You call them "blowharts" when its about Wacks.

I don't think Calabrese was making much up when he spoke to his kid nor does it look like Marcello had any reason to make anything up when he mentions Wacks name to his brother.

In fact I think he was wispering it not blowing it...

To Frank (Wacks fan)
Anything about your buddy with the integrity and Mrs. Seifert?

The Sun-Times must have missed the part about the old FBI guy and the wife of a murder victim. Sounds like we should give Wacks a street name, something like wispers or do they already call him "wiskers" in the intercepts?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: There was nothing to miss.

Wacks acknowledged he had a special relationship with Seifert's widow as he visited her frequently while she coped with the stress of losing her husband.

He said he was trying to get more information out of her.

There was no testimony that there was anything inappropriate about the relationship.

While I haven't read Wacks testimony this morning I assume he was under a subpoena from the defense to testify about what Mrs. Seifert didn't tell him back then ('74) (he was a case agent) after her husband was killed.

The government would have produced all the statements they had made by her from back then to now.

Her "302" presumably prepared by Wacks didn't mention that she saw Lombardo etc in the house so they called Wacks to verify and dramatize that fact.

I don't know what the poster means by "relationship" or if anything more than work was involved or implied by the poster.

Her husband refused protection when warned by the government and others and all involved in the case were upset by his death (maybe not the defendants!!)

As unusual as it may be, Calabrese really does not have a choice but to testify in his own defense.

He has already "testified" indirectly through the admission of his recorded conversations, and there is evidence that his statements, though coded, are admissions that he murdered people.

He has to somehow rebut or change the context of those statements; no matter how good the cross-examinations of Frank Jr. and Nicholas were (and I don't know if they were good or not), there is evidence that he committed murders that cannot easily be rebutted any other way.

And the "my family hates me" defense could work, though he will probably have to admit to being a seriously rotten father and brother.

Calabrese Sr. is in a fight for his life. He's got nothing. He's already had two key witnesses testify against him...one, who's going to prison for life anyway, and there is so much evidence on Calabrese, it's impossible to imagine him not getting prison for life.

It's a desperate time for the high-ranking members of the mob.

Maybe a little off topic, but has Joe "the Builder" Andriacci's name come up at all in this trial?

I've read and heard that he's boss or at least a significant figure in the Outfit's leadership.

However, Frank Calabrese Sr. scoffed at the suggestion of this while he was in prison, which was caught on tape.

Where does Andriacci fit in, if at all, in the Outfit? Does he have a significant criminal record, etc?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Joseph "Joe the Builder" Andriacchi's name has come up infrequently at trial.

He had been considered a boss by law enforcement at one time but is no longer considered a true power in the mob.

Joe-with regard to your august 8th post inquiring who the threats were coming from. with a fair amount of certainty I can say the FBI probably informed him that it was his own guys.

They tried this tactic on me , because i knew one of the men who has been named a couple times throughout the trial,who is deceased.

It was interesting because the moment i mentioned it to the grand jury ... it was something along these lines... Scully :did you have any reason to believe you or your family were in danger?

" Me " well i didnt until the FBI told me there was a hit out on him

" Scully "they TOLD you there was a hit on him ?

" Me "yes they did"

Mr.Scully " no further questions".

He certainly didn't want the grand jury to get wind of the tactics the FBI was using to try to intimidate people into talking, even if we don't know anything.

Warmbir, you're exceedingly knowledgable. Any plans to write a "Family Secrets" book in the offing?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Thanks for the kind words. My focus for now is just to cover the trial and keep up on answering the questions on the blog.

I saw the photos of Petrocelli and it appears that a flame was directly applied to his face. Nick C says he was strangled and partially burned due to the windows being up. I believe this is a serious discrepancy. Has anyone addressed this or exploited this.

p.s. I wish someone would photo Lopez in his blinding pink silk shirt. Fascinating coverage - thanks

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: You and a few posters have raised some possible discrepancies between what apparenlty happened to Butch Petrocelli before he died and Nick Calabrese's account of his death.

Here's what the autopsy said on Petrocelli's death, according to a court stipulation that the defense and the prosecution recently agreed to.

According to the autopsy, his face had been burned, with the exception of the portion of his face covered by masking tape.

There was no soot found in his lungs.

There was a large slashing wound in his neck and a smaller stab wound there too.

The cause of death was asphyxia combined with the slashing of the larynx.

I don't know how serious the differences are between the autopsy and the testimony.

I don't know how a human face looks after a blow torch has been taken to it versus one that's been burned by lighter fluid.

I believe the autopsy results suggest he wasn't tortured by having his face burned because they would have found soot in his airway or lungs.

Nick Calabrese said he believed his brother, Frank Sr., slashed Petrocelli's throat, and the autopsy did find a slash wound.

That's not to say there aren't discrepancies between what Nick Calabrese has said and other evidence in the murders he's described.

But I don't know if this is the most significant one.

I somehow find it very hard to believe that these so-called "BOSSES" are as smart as the public thinks their supposed to be. To lose your cool on the stand? Why in the world would anyone want to hurt their chances with the jury by looking so dumb.

what about the northlake strip club owmend my marcellos sisters sons?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: What about it? It hasn't come up at trial.

Any image of most, if not all, outfit guys as smart is pure fiction.

They are good at threats, intimidation and fear.

The image of them sitting there moving money from one off shore account to another is a rare occurance.

Let's not forget that one of them in this case stashed over $250,000 in a box in or near Williams Bay WI (think Lake Geneva and high water table) that wasn't waterproof or sealed even against normal ground moisture.

Probably too cheap to invest even in some zip lock bags!

I would have loved to have a U Tube video on them when they dug up the wet bills. The "smarter" ones wrap it in foil and put it in a freezer...hence the term "cold cash"!!

You think the lawers are already working on an appeal?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The attorneys in the case are definitely making their record during the trial - just in case.

Have Marcello's attorneys indicated who their defense witnesses will be, and whether Marcello is going to testify?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Marcello may not have anyone testify on his behalf. He may simply have his attorneys read aloud to the jury stipulations of what the witnesses would say if called to the stand.

Both the prosecution and the defense have to agree on the stipulations before they are entered.

Marcello will not be taking the stand, according to his lawyers.

The most interesting piece of evidence in his case may be tapes Marcello plays of a wiretap on the home phone of late mobster Rocco Infelice.

The tapes are expected to suggest that Infelice was home chatting on the phone the day Anthony and Michael Spilotro were killed in the basement of a Bensenville home in 1986.

This evidence is designed to undermine the testimony of Outfit killer Nicholas Calabrese.

Calabrese testified he saw Infelice out of the corner of his eye at the home where the Spilotro brothers were slain.

Calabrese also said Marcello drove him to the home.

Marcello's lawyers hope that by shaking Calabrese's credibility on Infelice being at the thome, they can do the same to his testimony regarding Marcello.

Referring to few posts above this one.
Anthony "LT" Zizzo. I am just wondering who on trial would benefit the most out of him disappearing?

Anyone have any ideas?

no comment has ever been given on this -- would anyone like to comment ?

Mr. Leo,

Some people talk, whatever. When one finds out, everyone knows. Its been said before, "what goes around comes around". Its just a matter of time. If you stay close to fire you'll get burned.

How long until the court files are open for public review? Does it take months or yeras until it is arcived?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: They will be open for years and years for public viewing.

Even when they are archived, they are still open for public viewing. You just have to to go the National Archives near Midway Airport to look at them.

Steve:

Any public document that would ID the name of every witness's name who testified? Maybe someone can post?
Thanks and great job by a true pro.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Sorry, nothing that I know of.

If I come across something like that, I'll post it.

Rocco Infelice is dead? When did he die?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Rocco Infelise died in July 2005 in prison of natural causes.

To me some of the most compelling evidence is the fact that Nick and Jr.’s testimony runs parallel and they haven spoken to one another in years, it’s proven.

Did they secretly conspire to do this, I don’t think so.

I don’t buy the rip off 2 million defense, all his money and belongings are already gone he even mentioned this on the stand.

I think the jury will rehash this and convict.

I also think that what is left of the outfit has written off Mr. Calabrese because of his big mouth. I think that when they heard how he bragged to his son they reassured themselves of his uselessness.

Even with the governments intro of the Lombardo Tapes of 1979 in regards to shaking down SHENKER, how does it really help them steve?

Does it prove that Lombardo is currently or recently part of any organized crime conspiracy? No.

Does it prove that he was involved or orchestrated the murder of Seifert? No.

Given that Lombardo's defense was that he was withrawn from any criminal activity since his release in 1992, how does the tape help?

Even if it potentially reveals lombardo was a powerful mob figure, or a tier one shakedown artist, he can argue i may or may not have been whatever you say I was......in 1979!

All i am now, and have been since my incarceration is an old man with failing health, and i challenge the government to produce any real evidence otherwise.

You think the Dr Rat Spilotro's testimony was anything but grandstanding by the prsoecution?

What did Lumby say? If i werent in jail, i could have saved them.

Its an old friend bs-ing and old friend in an attempt to console.

And even the-When you get an order, you follow thru. Halprin can argue its an 76 yr old-ex con talking like they do in the movies or the sopranos while getting his cavity filled.

In the end, its worthless testimony in regards to securing legit RICO conviction in federal indictment. Pure and simple. Its hearsay even.

The mistake= How could Halprin let Lumby testify.

Was so unnecessary? More too lose than gain. They had a weak case Rick.

Did Lumby demand to testify? Why did you listen to him?
All you had to do Establish doubt that he wasnt at the scene of the Seifert Murder. and establish he is and has been a nobody in the OUTFIT since he walked in to a federal pen 25 yrs ago.

And then hammer the point that He is an old mythic figure who the prosecution has squeezed in the indictment to score points with JUSTICE in D.C.

You dont think you could have gotten at least a mistrial? You made em look like a lying fool on the stand. His likeable persona was shattered.

And its sad in a way.

Imagine Steve what a great story and picture it would have been watching Joseph 'the clown' Lombardo, the last of the old breed, the last definitve organized crime living legend, walk out of the federal building with the smile and fedora, as a free man

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The May 22, 1979, conversation between Allen Dorfman, Morris Shenker and Joseph Lombardo was played by the prosecution to establish one of the predicate acts the jury could find in the racketeering count, namely extortion.

It also helps counter the defense point that Lombardo was nothing more than an errand boy for Dorfman. Listening to the entire tape suggests that Lombardo was calling the shots.

Lombardo's attorney, Rick Halprin, argues that the feds are misinterpreting the conversation, and Lombardo is nothing more than a "rent-a-mobster" for Dorfman.

Halprin notes that Shenker doesn't seem blown away by Lombardo's threat. Shenker replies: "So what?" after Lombardo menaces him.

Speaking of Halprin, I suspect that as good an attorney as Halprin is, Lombardo took the stand against the advice of counsel.

And as for Pat Spilotro, I don't know if his testimony was worthless.

He came across as a steady witness. He wasn't impeached on any serious point. And the only attack Halprin had on him in closing was that Pat Spilotro made up his story because he hates Lombardo.

Of the two men on the witness stand, Lombardo or Spilotro, the dentist appeared to cast the more sympathetic figure.

Still, steve I dont understand.

Even if it clearly illustrates that Lumby was a powerful capo in the Shenker tapes, its over 25 yrs ago.

how compelling evidence is it for a current conspiracy charge?

He could have been the toothfairy in the 60's for that matter, but isnt the government charging that he still has an active or has had one recently in the criminal enterprise known as the oufit?

and if so, the only only testimony put forth is a hearsay conversation between DR RAT Spilotro and Lombardo.

So what are you telling me, that saying "If i werent in the pen, I could have saved them" or "when you get an order, you follow..." is sufficient evidence to merit a conviction?

I dont care if he killed 500 people. We 're talking about the law, and the rules of adjudication here, albeit Lumby coming off as a fibber on the stand, the governments case in regards to the conspiracy charge is weak.

But, his past, and the fact he had to be tried in the same courtroon with Calabrese, same jury, is going to get em convicted. If Shiro is convicted, the system is a total joke man.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It's up to the jury to decide how compelling that evidence is, but it works for the charged conspiracy because it's within the time frame.

The RICO law is a powerful tool for the government. Prosecutors don't even have to prove direct participation in the crimes.

They just have to prove a defendant agrees with someone else in the conspiracy that the illegal act should take place that furthers the interest of the Outfit.

Now, prosecutors argue they've done a lot more than that.
The defense, of course, disagrees.

Lombardo's statements to Pat Spilotro alone aren't enough to convict him. It's up to the jury to decide if that testimiony derails Lombardo's withdrawal defense.

The question is this: Is the totality of the evidence against him enough to convict him?

Steve, I thought I read an article that said one of the defense attorney's own father is in prison/doing time for a mob crime.

I've tried to Google the article, but to no avail (I think I waited to long, and it's not listed there anymore.) Is this true?

Thanks for your blog; it's great for those of us who couldn't be there in person.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I don't know of any attorneys in the Family Secrets case whose fathers are in prison for mob crimes.

You may be thinking of attorney Alexander Salerno, whose father, Robert Salerno, was a mob enforcer sentenced to life in prison in 1995 for the murder of a bookmaker.

In response to the previous post from gallery watcher, it's prudent to avoid the romanticized view of organized crime as promoted in our culture.

To imagine a walk away from a courtroom for an organized crime figure as "victory" is truly sad.

Any commentary on Dr. Pat Spilotro should acknowledge that his actions must have taken a special strength and patience.

Think about it, 99.9% of people would crumble to fear, act out in vengeance, or simply just not have the ability to take action in a manner coinciding with the law. Other Sun Times articles have touched on this
.
If it's entertaiment you want, stick with the Soprano's or Hollywood. If it's reality, listen to the man on the stand who actually sounds like he is telling the truth.

MR. LOPEZ INSISTS THAT FRANK JR. IS A LIAR..... HHMMMMMM......I'D RATHER BE IN A ROOM WITH A LIAR THAN A KILLER!

Steve,
I agree that Rick is too good a lawyer to think they could pull off credible testimony from that guy(Lombardo)

I assume he pre-tried him, mock crossed him and made one last recommendation to stay off stand.

It's always difficult for a person to keep track of their lies and when you're making it up as you go along even tougher.

I agree with the posters that whatever shot at an acquittal he had went down the drain when he got on the stand.

For Weiner to have to admit in his close that he lied "a little bit" is a first for me in one of these trials!!

Both Weiner and Spilotro could be blamed (for Seifert's death) but Weiner was a money guy, fixer etc..not a killer. Started out, as they all did, working for and under Milwaukee Phil Alderisio.

Weiner was with Dorfman and set him up when he got killed but he was not a shooter guy himself.

Jimmy Chagra, I really have a problem with your "Dr. Rat" comments.
Can I ask you how you will feel if your family is murdered?

I am on no ones side, I can care less about Dr. Pat Spilotro.

Please explain how he is a rat? Can we put you in his shoes for 5 seconds? Half your brothers dead?

You must be a sick person if you believe anyone can keep silent when this happens to your brothers.

The code of silence and you know your brothers were beaten to death and possibly buried alive? I don't know how you can be so cold as to say this?

Please let us know what you mean?

I think that just the fact that Halprin is now saying that Lombardo lied on the stand really muddied up his chances.

I think that the jury really takes offense that they listened to an admitted liar. My guess is that Joey will be going up the river.

Steve, thank you.

You are correct, I was thinking of Alexander Salerno.

I spent the afternoon reading too many stories about this trial, and then following links to other Outfit related articles, and I inevitably got confused. (I followed a trail that led to Salerno defending reported mobster Michael Spano Sr. in the Betty Loren-Maltese trial and Salerno being an partner in the Lac du Flambeau casino idea.)

It seems that all these alleged mobsters and prosecuting attorneys and defense attorneys intersect repeatedly in Chicago, and I need a map to keep it straight. Thank you so much for clearing that up.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Happy to help. It is sometimes tough to tell the players without a scorecard.

Something that has been in the back of my mind: Is an anonymous jury *really* well protected against retaliation or intimidation in a trial of this sort (one involving the mob)?

People who have money, power, and a vested interest in something always seem to find a way to push and influence. This case has plenty of people who fit that description.

I would think the process of how the jurors arrive and depart, etc, would be highly sensitive information.

Despite that, and the fact that their names remain anonymous, it seems that at some point, these jurors will be able to be followed to their cars or their homes.

I don't think I'd trust that the system could keep me safe enough that I would be a juror. I may have watched "Runaway Jury" one too many times.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: You raise a good question. I haven't heard of any problems so far, but I imagine the issue of safety has crossed the minds of a few jurors.

A reporter for another media outlet once simply introduced himself to a juror in the elevator, which was not proper, and the juror quickly informed the judge.

So the jurors are on the look out for any unusual behavior.

REBUTTAL: The dustinguised Dr. RAT spilotro is RAT for these reasons

A.) His brothers were murdered, yes. But his brothers, especially Anthony was was one of the most notorious killeres, rackeeters, extotionists, and thieves of the late 20th century. They werent victims, by any sttretch of the imagination.

B.) Why snitch on Lombardo? He was in jail when your brothers were skilled. Anyone with any in-depth knowledge of the Outfit in that era knows Lombardo was one of the few people who liked Anhtony. He was his capo, and kept him alive, even When Accardo, Aiuppa and Cerone wanted him dead after the Geri Rosenthat Fiasco. What im saying, is if the Killer anthony John spilotro had a "friend" in the organization, it was Lumby. Why sell him out?

C.) Dr. RAT had no problem servicing these men and their families for decades . . . He benefitted from them, and the business they brought him. When it comes to $$$, they're ok and tolerable, ay Dr RAT?

jimmy chagra

You might not sound so stupid if you could spell better. Take off your hold em sunglasses when typing.

I happen to agree with you about the spilotro's, Mike and Tony, but Pat wasn't a mobster.

I feel much more for the "innocent victims" than the spilotro's, but they were his brothers.

The outfit was sloppy, in these hits.

No innocents should be killed. If the old rules were followed and the calabrese's did the ortiz hit, they would have been killed for killing an innocent.

These guys are all the same greedy, immoral, and cocky to a fault.

It is time for Mars and Co. to follow the money.

Most of the real power behind the outfit are almost "legit." These guys are old news.

For every Frank Calabrese there is a Fred Barbara. I'm not sherlock holmes and I know that much. These guys are in rackets that are dying gambling and pornography are dominated by "legit business."

Marcello will be a big victory for the Feds, because he is a smart guy and knew the old rackets, and has the street cred to have lead the street crews, but it doesn't look to good for Jimmy now.

Lastly, The feds know exactly what they are doing, They are striking at the "power base" of the outfit AND the Democratic machine by focusing on Bridgeport/Chinatown (hired truck)(family secrets) (clout hiring in CHI).

Indicting the fundraiser guy Tony whats his name. They are all over Cicero local gov (fake Republican) Berwyn (Stillo, guilty of bribery) beleive me it was no coincidence that Fitzgerald was sent to chicago, from NY which is now a Repulican city.

When the Feds clean up Chicago and kill the democratic party, he can go to Washington a hero.

WOW. I will get off the soapbox now. Steve and SUN-TIMES great
coverage on the trial. This blog was a great idea!!!

Anyone ever heard who fixed Calabrese's arm after he was wounded?

Steve:
Any indication any one of these guys might flip? Frank maybe? Seems like they could still put a state murder case on some of the other guys still out, "no nose" and "tornabene" look like a nice target!

We also never did hear who did the hatch and Ronny Jarret hits, the guys responsible are still on the street as far as it looks to me.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I think the time for flipping is long past for any of these men.

I have a question why for so many years the Cicero Police had no file on any of the murders in cicero its like they where paid not to do there jobs

Cicero - you should watch what you say about Barbera. You obviously no sherlock holmes cause the man in worth hundreds of millions of dollars from legitimate companies and investments.

As a matter of fact it would be humorous to know that you can be sued for slander just for saying what you said.

He has no reason nor would he even attempt to something illegal because he has nothing to gain from it.

You Idiot quit reading books, newpapers and doing research and get a damn life.

Cicero Who,

Cicero was a well read senator from ancient Rome. He enjoyed reading and commenting on politics and society.

I was trying to make a point. I apologize to MR BARBERA who was arrested 25 years ago for trying to muscle an undercover FBI agent.

It looks like I hit a nerve. I do not know Fred Barbera, other than what I read in the sun-times. My opinion is that he wouldn't be a millionaire if it wasn't for for clout. What should I watch out for? Tough guys from the neighborhood?

Sue for what? Read the Roti family tree on this site. His wealth is I am sure what his Grandpa Roti had in mind for his offspring and is quite proud of Freddie.
I should quit reading books and newspapers? You are brillant.

Steve,

Any idea what the source is for all of these nicknames? "The Indian" "The Clown", etc. And why doesn't Frank Sr. have a nickname?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I can't tell you the particular sources for those nicknames.

But in general, a mob nickname comes from one of three sources: the mobsters themselves, law enforcement or the media.

Frank Calabrese Sr. does have a nickname, "The Breeze," but it isn't a very good one and wasn't in a widespread use.

I appreciate the dedication of the jurors, especially given the fact that they have devoted nearly 3 months to this trial. It is a major commitment and probably a major disruption in their personal and professional lives.

But seriously, isn't there a literacy requirement before being selected? Out of the 12 jurors, they can't find someone who knows what "usurious" and "intimidation" mean?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: They're asking for a legal definition of intimidation.

Remember the questions may not reflect the fact that no one on the jury knows what these words mean.

It may reflect a disagreement on their meaning among jurors.

How come you haven't talked about the 2nd part of the trial that is starting in April with Schweiss?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I haven't talked about it because, despite reports to the contrary, nothing has been set or agreed upon for any trial for Frank Schweihs.

When it actually happens, I'll report it. There's been no trial date set - or even any finding by the judge that Schweihs is healthy enough to stand trial.

What was the sentence's for the out fit members that plead guilty, Niicholas and the rest?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: They haven't been sentenced yet.

Isn't it a little strange that out of 12+ people, none knew the definition of "intimidation?" What is going on here? I would think this is troubling for the prosecution.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: The only thing I would note is that the jury asked for a legal definition of intimidation, not just a plain English definition.

Taking a Friday off? They need to get to it.

I'm sure Frank and the other defendants are dreading the fact that they've got to stay for at least another three days while the judicial system catches its breath.

The Chicago Outfit doesn't take the weekends off.

Steve, any more information on that juror who commented about no need for deliberating?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Nothing more on the two jurors who were removed. The transcript to the court hearing that was sparked by their communication should be unsealed once the trial is over.

Anthony Ortiz-

There was no record of the murders because the cops were on the mob's payroll, you and I both know that.

If they weren't your dad and my grandpa's murder would have been solved way before this.

I know that they were on the payroll for many reasons.

My father and I have both been dealing with officers who did try to work on it back then and when the FBI got involved back in 2000 they all had gag orders put on them.

Your dad and my grandpa are a story in a college text book, the proffersor that wrote it was a Cicero cop and the lead detective on the case at the time.

Then it got shut down, and he wrote out his theory in the text book. His theroy just happens to be the same as the defense wittness for Sr. about it being a cicero cop who did it.

There was also 6 witnesses to the murder who mysteriously disapeared afterward.

And supposedly the FBI was sitting around the corner watching the drug house across the street and did nothing.

So tell me know who was the corupted one.

I think they all need to fry and I am so pissed the Nick is getting out easy just because he talked.

Hes the one who pulled the trigger and as far as I am concered he should get the death penalty.

If this had never happened maybe I would know my grandfather today, instead the only memory I have is a picture of him holding me when i was 6 months old, he died when I was 11 months old.

Screw all of them I hope they take them all down.

It is somewhat surprising to me that Zagel allowed the jury to take Friday off.

One would think that, after almost three months, the jurors would be eager to continue deliberations.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I'm speculating that the jurors didn't believe they were going to reach a verdict in a day, so they took Friday off. During the trial they normally had Fridays off.

And the judge said he would let jurors set their own schedule.

I sat here and read all the blogs and those people who talk about who was the most feared is PATHETIC

there where alot of innocent victims killed for no reason or they made up things to get the ok to kill them the outfit is just another gang in chicago but with PATHETIC ITALIAN OLD MEN who could not get real jobs but to leach off of real men who had a successful buisness

so i hope they all go to jail for the rest of there PATHETIC LIFES.

Good morning, Steve. I was a bit confused to see all these comments from July, and also because of the attention from this jury request. Isn't this a common request?

How can it be a bad thing to verify information?

And why would attorneys *not* want a jury to get a transcript and feel the need to object to the request?

That doesn't sound proper to me. The testimony is already a matter of public record, so why should there be an objection to a jury's referring to it?

Isn't having a transcript a nice advancement; instead of relying on faulty memories or incomplete notes, you can refer to the transcript for verification of what was really said.

If you can't refer to it, what's the point of it. The public can request a transcript but not the jury?

Also confusing to me is this sentence appeared in the other Chicago paper: "Zagel said jurors will receive the transcript after he reviews it and prepares an instruction telling them that it is only to be used to refresh their memory."

What on earth do they need this "instruction" for, don't they remember why they requested the information?

And what else would they be doing with the transcript? Using it for paper airplanes?

Why does the judge need to review it first? Would there be an occasion that a judge would *not* allow a jury to have a transcript, and why not?

I am missing something. Please help.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It is fairly common for a jury to ask for a transcript.

The judge didn't specify publicly what testimony they wanted, but it was related to defendant Paul Schiro.

Everything that is sent back to the jury is reviewed by the judge, so it's not usual he would read the transcript before he sent it back. It appears he's simply acting out of an abundance of caution.

The defense attorneys weren't keen on the jury getting it because apparently the testimony the jury was interested in wasn't favorable to one or more of their clients.

The judge's instruction appears to be nothing more than making sure the jurors don't put an undue emphasis on the transcript but simply use it to refresh their memories — since there is likely a disagreement among jurors over what the witness said or didn't say.

"PATHETIC ITALIAN OLD MEN who could not get real jobs but to leach off of real men who had a successful buisness"

You mean like scumbag drug dealers who killed people and wound up getting clipped?

Joey 240-

Why don't you take a look at the innocent who got clipped too. Did they deserve it because these PATHETIC ITALIAN OLD MEN couldn't get caught for their wrong doings? Why are you sticking up for them? Are you part of it all? Or do you just look up to them becasue you want to be part of it all?

"Why don't you take a look at the innocent who got clipped too. Did they deserve it because these PATHETIC ITALIAN OLD MEN couldn't get caught for their wrong doings?"

Were the so called innocent people going to testify? Then they weren't innocent. You seem to not like Italians much.

Why are you sticking up for them?

most of the people who were killed were drug dealing murderers (Ortiz), Killers (spilorto, vaci, feccaratta, pertocelli, etc). It just gets me how the family demands justice for their beloved family members.

Are you part of it all?

Uh, no. Was about 5 years old when most of this happened. I work for a living just like you.

Or do you just look up to them becasue you want to be part of it all?

Don't look up to them. Don't want to be part of anything. Your an idiot and if your relative was a rat or involved and going to testify then I guess maybe they should have thought twice before they did that. If not then I hope you get some justice and quit being a PATHETIC CRYBABY.

Amy you must believe everthing you here if you would of read what i wrote you show me anywhere proof that my dad dealt drugs or killed someone ill kiss your ass

its just not true he was never arrested for anything and if he did those things i would know and my mother i did hang out at my dads bar alot so get your facts right before you say anything again about ORTIZ

I was the one who questioned awhile back whether jurors in a case like this (dealing with the mob, or any case where the prosecuted have wealth, power, and alot to lose) could ever really feel completely secure and protected, despite their anonymity.

To read that a newspaper wants jurors names revealed/published makes me feel sick.

I know that if I were a juror that had been granted anonymity, I would not want this anonymity questioned later, especially by a newspaper!

Journalists have long recognized the need to keep some sources anonymous...anonymity is not unheard of, and the need for it understood...so why would a newspaper even bother to ASK for this information?

IMO it makes the one posing the request look bad.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Just for clarification, it was the Chicago TRIBUNE that made the request.

This is what I've been waiting for, Steve. If granted, I might be able to get that cute juror's phone number.

Okay, maybe not. But I would fear for the safety of the jurors if their names get out. There are more people in the Outfit, and I'm pretty sure they can carry a grudge.

Also, any explainable reason why your blog randomly carries one comment thread with it? Every few days the same comment thread gets dragged along with it, and I always laugh at Anonymous' grammatic nightmare of a reply of "this just proves to me that there all innocent" to your updates.

Still working on Zagel's book. I feel the need to give it away to someone once I finish it- just for the cost of shipping it. Anyone interested? Contact me.

Steve, what of the defendants who plea-bargained out? Any updates?

Also, has Calabrese shaved yet?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: None of the defendants who pleaded guilty have been sentenced yet.

Calabrese Sr. looked a little scruffy in court.

As for the question on the comment thread, I'll check with our web people and find out.

Steve, above you say:
"STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: None of the defendants who pleaded guilty have been sentenced yet."

Then you say right below that:
"Calabrese Sr. looked a little scruffy at sentencing.
As for the question on the comment thread, I'll check with our web people and find out."

Have they been sentenced? If so what was it?

Thank you

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: My apologies for the typo. It's been corrected. Calabrese Sr. looked scruffy in court. No defendant has been sentenced yet.

who gave the order too hit BIG JOHN FACAROTTA HE WAS A MADE MAN AND NICK CALABRESE WAS NOT

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Mob boss James LaPietra gave the order to hit John Fecarotta, according to court testimony.

Nick Calabrese, however, was made into the Chicago mob, at the same ceremony his brother, Frank Sr., was, according to court testimony.