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What The Fuck Has Happened To "Omerta"?
The old Sicilian code of silence is so fucking dead these days.
Former Mob Chief Testifies He Ordered 'Skinny Joey' Merlino to Kill a Defiant Associate
NEWARK, N.J. - A former Philadelphia Mafia chief said in federal court he ordered underboss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino to kill an associate to restore discipline in the crime family.
Ralph Natale testified Friday against Merlino, 42, who faces murder and other charges stemming from the death of Joseph Sodano, a New Jersey mob associate.
In his third day on the stand, Natale said he and Merlino made the decision to kill Sodano - who Natale said had defied him - during a 1999 meeting at a Philadelphia town house.
Natale said he wanted to use the killing to show underlings he was in charge and that mob rules must be respected.
"I wanted the body found, not buried," Natale said. "If it's found, our own people will know we're serious and the other families will know that Philadelphia is back."
Merlino was convicted of racketeering in 2001, but jurors found allegations that he had killed Sodano were "not proven." He is serving a 14-year sentence on the racketeering charge.
Natale, 68, and Peter "The Crumb" Caprio, 74, another member of the family's northern New Jersey faction, have pleaded guilty and are cooperating with federal authorities in the case against Merlino.
Sodano, 58, was a reputed captain in the Philadelphia-based crime family. Prosecutors said he was loyal to jailed boss John Stanfa and had not shown respect to Natale and Merlino.
Natale said in U.S. District Court on Friday he agreed to testify for the government because Merlino failed to send money to his family while Natale was in prison.
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