The Outfit on trial

approx. how long will it be until sentencing? what is the normal waiting period til the judge can make a ruling?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I would expect to see the men sentenced early next year. The next status date in the case is November.

I think that Schiro, and Marcello, and Sr all got off too easy.

They should have been convicted of all of them.

As far as Sr goes, I know they convicted him on the ones he was caught on tape talking about, but his brother also told them about those.

Why would they choose to believe Nick on those but not on the others?

Why would Nick lie, he confessed to the ones he did and is going to do time for them too, what does he have to gain by lying about Sr's involvement?

It won't get him any less time in jail, and it wouldn't Sr any more time in jail.

He can't get any more than life. I think they got more of a fair trial than expected and deserved.

They are still getting away with murder as far as I am concerned.

Lombardo, they were right to convict him because his story about the missing wallet and reporting it, there was no proof of that, no police report, no policeman to coaberate his story. He deserved it too.

And Marcello got his too. Schiro, I think they will try to get him again when they put Schweiss on trial becaue they are both accused in the same murder.

did they really get a fair trial,there italian,next to the blackman there always going to be convicted,how many people are innocently covicted evey year, worse when you bring goverment rats you will be guilty,while a rat gets to eat every day,mike vick should have hired these lawyers

The split verdict on the murders makes it that much harder for the defense to challenge its integrity, or the jury's conduct in the interim (taking a week off).

A finding on some murders but a walk on others fuels the notion the jury provided careful, independent deliberation on each accusation.

Too, the verdict's made all the more secure by the fact the jury held the defendants responsible on those murders for which there was corroborating evidence to Nick's testimony, but turned thumbs down on the others.

Perhaps the families of those murder victims left unresolved - by the legal system, not in their minds -- can take comfort that the jury's verdict on guilt/innocence appears bulletproof.

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Thanks for the post. I think you're right on the money.

Its funny actually.

I bet whoever Ortiz killed (which is why according to the tapes he was killed) was watching down from heaven laughing as the buckshot tore him up. Now thats justice. Too bad it will never be known who the drug dealer killed and why so that family can laugh and maybe even send the Calabrese brothers a thank card in the mail.

You know what I mean esse?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It was mentioned at trial that one reason Ortiz was killed was because he allegedly committed a murder not sanctioned by the Outfit, or at least had knowledge of it.

But I have to say there wasn't any more detail on it other than a brief mention, and there certainly wasn't the kind of proof we saw against the three defendants.

Are there any people in the Outfit relieved of this verdict, as in maybe this can mean more opportunity now that so-and-so is out of the way?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I don't know if anyone in the Outfit is exactly relieved by the verdict. Three powerful guys in the Outfit are going to prison for the rest of their lives.

No matter who the verdict knocks out of the way for certain rivals, it's not a reason for them to cheer.

Because they know they could be next.

I guess I'm a little disappointed. I'd wanted to see justice for Donnie Renno.

But then, the man accused of his murder was convicted of others, so perhaps it is all the same.

I think the verdicts should have been:

Shiro - not guilty (on the rackateering as well)
Lumby - not guilty (on the rackateering as well)
Calabrese - guilty on rackateering and guilty of a few less murders (ones Nick commited) not that it matters to anyone but victims I guess.
Marcello - guilty on rackateering and not guilty on murders
Twan - not guilty

***Nick - sent to China and slowly tortured for 3 days before being sent to the firing squad. This guys the most evil because he killed without question. He will probably be living in Tahiti while he Kurt, and Frank spend all the old man's money.

I think when people snitch they should only do it out of repentance not to cut a deal especially when its multiple murders.***

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I only note that there was no evidence that Kurt Calabrese stole his father's money - or that Nick stole any of the money for that matter.

And before people start writing in that Kurt Calabrese lives in Kenilworth, let me add that his home is exceptionally modest, certainly by North Shore standards.

It truly is an injustice to the men, and the whole judicial process as a whole that Marcello and Lombardo were found guilty!

And I'll tell you just a few of the reasons why.

Number one, You have a witness in Nick Calabrese, who in fact had the most damaging physical evedidence against him for murder to testify against the others only to try to save his own self.

I was at the trial a few times and find his stories completly unbelievable.

Why couldnt Nick C. remember the actual house the Spilotro murders took place in??,, come on people think about it-- Your in a basement with 12 men and savagly beat two men to death-- Trust me, you'd rememeber the house!

Second-- Nick C. says he saw a man there (who he named) who at the very same time is under federal survallience, but then says "Oh, well, maybe it was him".

Again you would remember!

All Nick did was tell a story about what he heard happend,

But he was never there.

How can you convict Jimmy Marcello with 0 I mean zero phsical evidence,

And whats the crime in talking on tape about the murders???

Or even being nervous about what one witness may say??

Thats no crime!! maybe he had friends who were in fact involved in the Spilotro murder and was nervous for them.

My point being, There is no way, according to our justice system, that with that eveidence, that you CAN PROVE WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT THEY WERE GULTIY!

And for Joey Lombardo, Are you kidding me, a thumb print on a car title, Joey and Siefert were friends for christ sake, he was probably in his car numerous times, and a police scanner, again perfectly legal and very popular for people to listen in on for fun.

I could go on and on but my fingers are tired so im done typing.

By the way, if I have to hear anymore about Pat Spilotro cry over his brothers deaths--- I mean Wake up Patsy, your brother lived by the sword and died by it!!

Why dont you stand up and be a real man for once and do something good for your family's tarnished name and Start trying to bring closure and healing to the families who, by your own families greed and evil has brought much sorrow and grief too!!

I'll open this up to anyone:

I realize that Marcello might try to run things from prison, but who are the other main Outfit guys that are left aside from No Nose, Tornabene, and Matassa?

hey FD,
Pat did what was right. Marcello IS guilty. Live by the law and you don't have a problem. Why be so foolish as to stick up for these guys? Clue in.

I have to agree with FD at some level. It seems Pat Spilotro and all of the Spilotros should lie low.

Same for all of the family members' of fallen thug killers at the hands of thug killers.

Or at least realize had their brother, husband, father not been killed, they could have easily been sitting in court listening to other families' anguish and devastation.

I know they lost a love one, but it seems quite hypocritical and insensitive for them to have such harsh words against the convicted when their loved ones were of equal character.

So the deed is done-- they have all testified and gotten their convictions. But after they're done spewing venom and celebrating this victory, they should reach out to the families that their dead loved ones killed or ruined.

What goes around comes around.

The trial has helped bring closure and healing to the families affected by Calabrese, Marcello, and Lombardo.

Does FD stand for F***ING DUMB*** ????

I think you're missing the point "anonymous."

It's great that the families affected by Calabrese, Marcello and Lombardo have closure... but what about healing and closure for the lives of the families their dead loved ones ruined?

I absolutely know there were a few "innocent" victims (very few), but for the most part anybody hanging out with the outfit shouldn't be surprised by anything.

Life is funny-- what makes a criminal thug one day makes a star witness and a "hell of a guy" the next.

Who knows what he'll be next...I can't imagine life is going to be very good for the rats.

Steve: Will Nick and George Jr leave Illinois and get new identities?

Also, how do you get on the list to visit Marcello or Lombardo?

STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Nick Calabrese likely will be in a prison reserved for people in the witness protection program for quite a while.

If you are asking about Frank Calabrese Jr., there was no court testimony to indicate he was part of the witness protection program.

To get on the list to visit the two men you mention, they have to put you on their list. So you could write to them and ask them.

There's a lot of "mob groupies" on here.

A mob groupie always wants mobsters to beat a case, and point out that victims deserve what they get. (Mob groupies forget that murder is murder.) And they are always on the side of the mobsters no matter what.

And they always use the mob lexicon like "rats" and "stand-up guys," and like to throw in cliche Mafia words like "honor" and "respect" when there is no form of honor or respect in the Mafia. There's a lot of mob groupies on the Internet -- and there are a lot of mob groupies on this blog.

It's the same as "rock 'n' roll chick groupies" who throw themselves at rock stars, except in the case of the mob groupies it's sick because you are worshiping killers.

It's kind of on the same level of those crazy women who flock to the trial of serial killers like Richard "The Night Stalker" Ramirez and Ted Bundy, and fawn over them -- finding them "sexy."

You mob groupies need to open up your eyes and grow up. Seriously.

Mobsters, such as the ones profiled on this blog, are nothing more than glorified killers, and there's nothing "romantic" about them.

Please anonymous. I am not a groupie. I am a writer. I'd like to "interview" Marcello and Lombardo.

I have absolutely no interest nor am I impressed by either 65+ fella (or the mob.) Please.

I do however think there are two sides to every story and I think it would be a pretty damn good story. I'm not about "honor" or "respect" dear-- I'm about a good story.

Skeptical-Girl, that "mob groupie" comment was meant for the Internet wackos on here who continually stick up for these murderers and actually get worked up about them being convicted -- the comments like "THEIR OLD MEN, LEAVE THEM ALONE !!!" (notice the misspelling of "they're," the capitalization like they are yelling it, and the grammatically incorrect space before the multiple exclaimation points).

There is no statute of limitations on murder for a reason; it's a heinous crime in which those who perpetrate that crime should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law whether they are caught the day after the murder or thirty years later.

By the way, do you really think Marcello or Lombardo are going to let you interview them and get their side of the story prior to even being sentenced? "Please."

Yes, it would make a "pretty damn good story" to get their side of the story so you have the complete package, but they are not going to open up to just anybody -- and especially not before they are sentenced because anything they say will be used against them.

Granted, they will almost definitely get life sentences no matter what; however, they are also going to be thinking about their future appeals, and talking to a "writer" would not be in their best interest.

Getting them to open up to you so you can write a "pretty damn good story" is a pipe dream.

It's never going to happen, and they would never put just anybody on their visiting list.

Two sides to every story? I thought that's what the trial was supposed to showcase.

Well Anonymous, I do not have a penis, so it's a little difficult to get into a pissing match with you, yet I appreciate your thoughtful response and opinion. I think you'd be surprised with this "writer's" connections.

My "two sides to every story" comment has nothing to do with facts of the trial per se. And I need not explain myself any further.

Especially to one who is obviously angry and judgemental (my guess is you are in law enforcement.)

Thanks Steve for fantastic trial coverage and an interesting blog.

"Especially to one who is obviously angry and judgemental (my guess is you are in law enforcement.)"

You're calling me "judgmental" when you're the one just assuming I am a member of law enforcement. And no, I am not in law enforcement.

Also, no, I am not angry. It's the mob groupies who get angry about stuff like this.

And "connections" or not, you are not going to get an interview with Marcello and Lombardo, and they will not open up to you. Again, that's a pipe dream.

If you want to make money off of this by writing a story, I assure you that you'll have to do it without the input of Marcello and Lombardo.

Anyway, good luck on your project.

I don't think any of you people have a clue about these men. Are you serious MOB GROUPIES. You sound really dumb.

I find it interesting that mob lawyer Tom Breen is now depending Jeanette Sliwinski the girl accused of murdering 3 musicians on Dempster st by ramming her car into theirs while attempting sucide at 70 MPH. He goes from one high profile case to another. Breen a former prosecutor himself is having a high profile career.

They should have all been found not guilty but who can get a fair trial as noted by posters when you are a goomba on trial in a city of the legend of all capone? its pretty hard to overcome the odds.

The defense starts out in the hole and has to work its way up. this was no conspiracy they should have been tried in state court at 26th and california on murder.

in the end i told the jury it was impossible to get a fair trial in my closing argument and they did a good job with what they had and that is how the system works.

hats off to the jurors for really putting in a great effort. they did what jurors are expected to do and it must have been hard. good bless the jury system. shark

Was that really Frank the Shark Lopez's comments?

What an attention phene.

Steve Warmbir responds: Yes, it was Joe Lopez's comments.

Why must the government harass italians?

I WONDER HOW MANY FUR COATS AND DIAMONDS THAT THESE CRIMINALS' WIVES HAVE BLOOD ON THEM? THEY HAD TO KNOW THEY DID NOT WORK AN HONEST DAY'S WORK IN THEIR LIVES

Very interesting... as always! Cheers from -Switzerland-.