Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano confessed role in murder plot on tape, federal prosecutor says
Former Bonanno boss Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano's own damning words caught on tape are overwhelming proof he ordered the murder of a mob associate, a federal prosecutor told jurors Monday.
"I'm a hoodlum, I'm a tough guy, I ain't sitting on my couch. Whatever happens, happens. Let's go," Basciano said in a conversation taped by his boss Joseph Massino in jail.
That says it all, Frank said in his closing argument.
"Those are the words of a cold-blooded, remorseless killer," Frank said. "The words of a man that would let nothing stand in the way of his leadership of the Bonanno crime family."
Murder victim Randolph Pizzolo became roadkill in Basciano's ruthless move to seize control of the crime family in early 2004 after Massino was arrested.
Pizzolo had disrespected Basciano by screwing up a construction job at the mob boss' waterfront home in the Bronx.
Then he insulted all the Bonannos in a drunken tirade claiming he was the only real killer in the crime family and was ready to "level the Bronx" if he didn't become an inducted member.
Basciano admitted on tape that, shortly before he was arrested on Nov. 19, 2004, he "gave the order" to whack Pizzolo.
"He's (Pizzolo) a dangerous kid that doesn't f---- listen," Basciano explained. "He talks stupid, he talks like a f---- jerk---."
After Massino admonished him for not getting permission to order the Pizzolo killing, Basciano replied: "It as already in the works."
The prosecutor reminded jurors of the testimony of Basciano's right hand man Dominick Cicale who testified that the killing would serve as a message.
"Randy would be a statement for everybody in the crime family that Vinny Basciano doesn't play around," Cicale testifed earlier in the trial.
The jury will begin deliberating Tuesday after Brooklyn Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis instructs the panel on the law.
Basciano, 51, who is already serving a life sentence for another rubout, faces the death penalty if convicted of killing Pizzolo.
0 comments:
Post a Comment