Key Witness's Television Infamy Causing Concern
Add caption |
The NY Daily News is reporting that prosecutors are actually in a state of "fear" over the fact that jurors for an upcoming gangland murder trial may become starstruck owing to the fact that a former "star" of the reality TV show “Mob Wives” is due to take the stand.
Also of concern is the possibility that jurors might ignore evidence and reach a verdict based on whether or not they want to gain or avoid "the notoriety associated with the show," prosecutors noted in court papers.
Hector Pagan, the "star" witness against reputed mobsters Richard Riccardi and Luigi Grasso, appeared on the show during the 2010 and 2011 seasons; he flipped during the summer of 2011.
Pagan was one of the many mobsters pulled in on so-called Mafia Takedown Day in January of 2011, when FBI agents, assisted by the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies, executed the largest coordinated organized crime takedown in FBI history, cuffing more than 100 of 127 indicted individuals in New York City, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Pagan was one of the many mobsters pulled in on so-called Mafia Takedown Day in January of 2011, when FBI agents, assisted by the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies, executed the largest coordinated organized crime takedown in FBI history, cuffing more than 100 of 127 indicted individuals in New York City, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Prosecutors' "fears" are misplaced. What they should be concerned about is how strong their case really is, considering the fact that they need to stoop low enough to actually need Pagan to testify.
TG Graziano had a long and fruitful career with
the Bonanno family.
|
"TG" Graziano, a former heavyweight in the Bonanno family, will be a major topic of discussion once defense attorneys get to cross-examine him.
But they are being disingenuous by not stating that what really concerns them is a.) their star witness is a brazen liar, and b.) their star witness is actually the one who committed the murder for which the other two are facing trial. Considering points a. and b., the question arises regarding whether it is even proper for them to attempt to convict Riccardi and Grasso considering the circumstances.
Ex-boss Massino: Do rats breed rats? |
As we've noted, Hector (Junior) Pagan ratted out his former cohorts, Riccardi and Grasso, saying that they were responsible for the July 2, 2010 Brooklyn robbery of an auto body shop in Gravesend during which Luchese associate James Donovan was killed.
Pagan also wore a wire and got several people on tape, resulting in a string of arrests that included then-acting family boss Vincent "Vinny TV" Badalamenti and "TG" Graziano.
But as it turned out, the Feds didn't get the windfall they'd hoped because Pagan himself was actually the one who shot Donovan in the leg -- something that he initially pinned on Riccardi. This become known once surveillance footage of the crime surfaced and plainly showed that Riccardi relaxing in the car during the entire crime.
The bullet nicked Donovan’s femoral artery and he bled to death.
Riccardi is accused of supplying the guns; Grasso for accompanying the "star witness" Pagan, according to the New York Daily News. Tens of thousands of dollars were removed from the shop while Donovan died in a pool of his own blood.
Lawyers for the two alleged mobsters deny that their clients are guilty and point the finger at Pagan.
“Hector Pagan is truly the guilty party, and has been caught lying to the Brookyn district attorney’s office as well as the U.S. Attorneys,” Riccardi’s lawyer said.
Riccardi and Grasso will face life in prison if convicted. Pagan's reward is not known.
What's amazing is that federal prosecutors don't seem to learn from their mistakes; juries tend to see through rats like Pagan these days. How many "Mafia trials" did we see in the past couple of years in which the charged were found "not guilty" of top-line murder counts levied against them?
This is going to be the best show in town. Can't wait to see this scumbag
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame what has become of the American LCN. Real shame. The basis for which this organization has stood for, for so many years has crumbled and it crumbled a long time ago. Now, it's just disgusting.
ReplyDeleteGoverment blown this case they will be found... Not Guilty!
ReplyDeletewhen does this trial start??????
ReplyDeleteHey i Seen this guy just recent at the ramada hotel near newark airport.
ReplyDelete