by B. » Tue Aug 04, 2015 12:08 am
Junior Staino kept a diary when he was on the lam in the late 1980s, first in Florida then in the Dominican Republic. Here is the text:
June 18 - Received a frantic call from Becky. Bud's boys were looking for me. I packed & left in 15 minutes . . . Got a place immediately in Hollywood Florida.
June 19 - Miserably, lonely, & miserable!! Called Lil. Did I make the right move?
June 21 - Fished. Fished. Fished. I want & need Lil & the kids. Being alone is definately not for me. And this is just the beginning.
June 22 - Made plans to leave Hollywood. Needed certain documents. Of course nothing came easy. One mistake after another.
June 24 - Finally contacted Lemons. Thank God. He's meeting me at airport & will hand deliver me. Had Wally drive me to airport, slept at airport hotel. Didn't want to miss flight.
June 25 - Left for airport at 11:30. Boy am I scared & nervous . . . Arrived safely. A beautiful country!! Truly unspoiled and beautiful!! Two-hundred-fifty miles & 9 hours later we arrived & met Humberto (Lemon's connection). Took us to dinner (first I've eaten in 8 days). I miss you terribly Lillian. My life is over. I'm sure.
June 26 - A beautiful ocean-front home (dirty too. from not being used). You should see the size of the spiders. Boy is it hot!! Miserable. I hope I can make it here. Somehow I doubt it.
June 27 - Saturday night is the loneliest night of the week. Who are they kidding. Day's too. Depression is a major part of me . . . Come to me Lil. Please come to me. Where are all my loved ones. What a mistake I made.
July 2 - I want out of here, no way could I make it alone. I want my family . . . Lillian I miss you so very much. I must write!!
July 3 - Letter to Lil. I don't give a f - - -!! Was tempted to call. I want Lillian & my kids, my family.
July 4 - July 4th. Big f - - - - - - deal!!
July 5 - Humberto & family visited again. Took me on a scenic ride. Was miserable but forced myself to enjoy. Loved playing with his two adorable kids. We had dinner on a mountain top. If only Lil were here with me. A paradise would be heaven. I had two Pina-Coladas (forced on me by Humberto).
July 7 - . . . God I feel worse!! I'm out of fish-oils. Must have them. Impossible to buy them here. Thank God I've lost weight (about 15 pounds) It will (along with the walking) help keep my blood pressure down. I hope. What a place to have a stroke. Especially alone. Had an air conditioner installed today (they don't use them here) Cost $1,200 American. Wow!! Lil, where are you?
July 8 - Walked the beach this morning. Can't take loneliness. I want Lillian. Could this be the end? I could see no brightness. I know my life is over!! . . . I'm on the brink of going mad.
July 11 - No sleep!! Thinking. Pacing. Sitting. My sanctuary. It's a cell, surely as being enclosed behind a wall. Worse. Solitary confinement. . . . Help me Lil. Help me.
July 15 - I'll never see my house's again. The party's over.
July 19 - Humberto took me to a Dr. friend of his, had my pressure taken . . . Scare, Scare, Scare. It was 160-110. A real pressure cooker . . . Of course I've been out of my precious fish-oil for about eight days. He managed to get me a bottle & some garlic pills. Hopefully the pressure will drop before I do!!
July 20 - . . . I'm beginning to feel more & more like Michael Corrleone in the Godfather. I mean when he was sent to Sicily after killing a cop.
July 23 - Started drinking Pina Colodas early. By my writing you can tell I'm high. Boy do I miss you, Lillian.
July 28 - Wonderful day. Wonderful thought . . . Had dinner & then called Lil. How great she sounded (acted). Such bravado. Oh how I love her. She breathed new life & hope in me. I went from despair to bliss.
Aug. 4 - Bored. Bored. Bored. I never thought I would resent doing nothing. I thought I was the ideal lounger . . . trade winds are blowing up a storm today. Perhaps I'll take a ride on the Teleferico high-up, into the mountains. Maybe the cable-car will . . . SNAP!! . . . I didn't realize how difficult it was to hide a broken heart.
Aug. 5 - Whoops. There went my celibacy!! What a joke . . . Boy do I miss Lillian. Not just for sex. For compassion, for understanding, for conversation, for above all, love. Just got through watching "the Incredible Hulk" in Spanish . . . Oi vey!! What a camp!! Opened a bank account today.
Aug. 6 - I have no fear here. I walk around like "freeman". As they say here "no problema" A national saying. But, is it really worth it?
Aug. 9 - I feel as though everyone has abandoned me . . . I must realize I'm only bound to Lillian by love & not by blood. I guess "love" isn't all that binding . . . Slowly but, oh so sure I'm becomming a "rum-aholic." Drinking alone is terrible.
Aug. 16 - Called Lil. She's coming tomorrow. What a girl!! . . . She's staying for a week . . . Happiness is abounding in me. I love her so much.
Aug. 17 - Lil got here. Safe, sound & best of all . . . alone. How happy it made me to see her after 9 weeks . . . We stopped at a roadside Colmado (restaurant) & had something to eat. Lil loved it. Flies & all. We watched videos of the kids, had a couple drinks of rum & then went to bed . . . Amen.
Aug. 19 - The thought of her leaving me shortly is beginning to depress me . . . Lil found a horseshoe & made me keep it for luck.
Aug. 20 - We had a knocked-out hollering affair. We both felt terrible later.
Aug. 22 - My Lillian surprised (shocked) me by going on a speed boat parachute ride high up in the Carribean sky . . . The very same Lillian who's petrified in an automobile.
Aug. 24 - Got Lil off to the Airport. Watched in deep sorrow as she & her plane went up, up and away. Prior to that we had quite a few tears fall from both our eyes.
Aug. 25 - I thought over everything Lil tried to get across to me. She's so right. I must stop feeling sorry for myself & start appreciating what ever free time I have. Who knows what tomorrow brings.
Aug. 30 - I'm actually beginning to get out of my rut. My frame of mind is excellent. I just do what I must and stop feeling as though I've passed on.
Sept. 21 - . . . instead of elation. Tears, tears, tears!! I wish this life on Buddy-boy & his family . . .
Sept. 22 - . . . met with a lawyer in Santiago today. I don't want to get overly optimistic but for a price he said he could help me. He also assured me that the Dominican Republic has no extradition treaty with the United States. I'm somewhat skeptical at this. However if this is so . . . I'll be ecstatic!!
Oct. 4 - I'm sitting here getting morbid & depressed listening to Frank Sinatra sing "It was a very good year." Somehow I suddenly feel very old & my life is slipping away rapidly . . .
Oct. 23 - Went to the opening of Puerto Plata's one & only casino. It's no Vegas. Or Atlantic City, I did however leave them a donation of 4,000 Pesos ($1,000 u.s.) Oh, well I'll get them at another time.
Oct. 24 - A rainy morning. I'd like to think that the heavens are shedding tears for me. I watched a couple innings of the World Series & was slowly bored. Very depressing day.
Nov. 9 - I miss everybody but Buddy-boy.
Nov. 21 - A heavy night of drinking . . . I know now where the phrase ''Rum-soaked" came from. Most likely the tropics.
Nov. 23 - I was scared out of my wits last night. At about four a.m. I was awakened by loud banging at the front door. I was sure that the party was over. Thank God, it was only a very drunk Mel. Needing a place to sleep. Unable to drive. I can't tell you how happy I was to see him . . .
Nov. 26 - Turkey day, not here, but in my home sweet home. I'll miss the delectable dinner Lil & the kids are sure to be enjoying today. I'm certain I'll be remembered, loved, missed & toasted to!!
Dec. 12 - I die a thousand deaths each day . . . No one can ever know unless they've lived a life alone.
Dec. 17 - Six months to the day since my hasty departure from the states & civilization. Could it be that long? Time sure is fleeting. To bed very late. Awoke very late to a dreary sunless day. Had pancakes for lunch.
Dec. 19 - Drove to Santiago to visit Humberto. Stopped on the road & bought some tangerines. Also saw the atty. Got a guarantee for $25,000 U.S. Pretty steep, but well worth it. Dec. 24 - Christmas eve. Big deal.
Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas. Yea, sure!! A boring, sad, depressing day!!
Jan. 1, 1988 - (N.Y. Day. Big Deal) Rain, rain, rain. No parade. Joke!!! Had a great N.Y. eve. Stayed in all night listening to KYW on the radio.
Jan. 7 - Off to Santiago on a mission. I hope to find fish oil. If not then a doctor & a mild diuretic. Hopefully the former. The weather finally broke. Another beautiful day. Somehow it's nice to know they're freezing back home. (especially Bud Warner. Ha-ha).
(Six days later, Dominican national police arrested Staino without incident near his beach house. Agent Warner was with the police when they closed in).
Junior Staino kept a diary when he was on the lam in the late 1980s, first in Florida then in the Dominican Republic. Here is the text:
June 18 - Received a frantic call from Becky. Bud's boys were looking for me. I packed & left in 15 minutes . . . Got a place immediately in Hollywood Florida.
June 19 - Miserably, lonely, & miserable!! Called Lil. Did I make the right move?
June 21 - Fished. Fished. Fished. I want & need Lil & the kids. Being alone is definately not for me. And this is just the beginning.
June 22 - Made plans to leave Hollywood. Needed certain documents. Of course nothing came easy. One mistake after another.
June 24 - Finally contacted Lemons. Thank God. He's meeting me at airport & will hand deliver me. Had Wally drive me to airport, slept at airport hotel. Didn't want to miss flight.
June 25 - Left for airport at 11:30. Boy am I scared & nervous . . . Arrived safely. A beautiful country!! Truly unspoiled and beautiful!! Two-hundred-fifty miles & 9 hours later we arrived & met Humberto (Lemon's connection). Took us to dinner (first I've eaten in 8 days). I miss you terribly Lillian. My life is over. I'm sure.
June 26 - A beautiful ocean-front home (dirty too. from not being used). You should see the size of the spiders. Boy is it hot!! Miserable. I hope I can make it here. Somehow I doubt it.
June 27 - Saturday night is the loneliest night of the week. Who are they kidding. Day's too. Depression is a major part of me . . . Come to me Lil. Please come to me. Where are all my loved ones. What a mistake I made.
July 2 - I want out of here, no way could I make it alone. I want my family . . . Lillian I miss you so very much. I must write!!
July 3 - Letter to Lil. I don't give a f - - -!! Was tempted to call. I want Lillian & my kids, my family.
July 4 - July 4th. Big f - - - - - - deal!!
July 5 - Humberto & family visited again. Took me on a scenic ride. Was miserable but forced myself to enjoy. Loved playing with his two adorable kids. We had dinner on a mountain top. If only Lil were here with me. A paradise would be heaven. I had two Pina-Coladas (forced on me by Humberto).
July 7 - . . . God I feel worse!! I'm out of fish-oils. Must have them. Impossible to buy them here. Thank God I've lost weight (about 15 pounds) It will (along with the walking) help keep my blood pressure down. I hope. What a place to have a stroke. Especially alone. Had an air conditioner installed today (they don't use them here) Cost $1,200 American. Wow!! Lil, where are you?
July 8 - Walked the beach this morning. Can't take loneliness. I want Lillian. Could this be the end? I could see no brightness. I know my life is over!! . . . I'm on the brink of going mad.
July 11 - No sleep!! Thinking. Pacing. Sitting. My sanctuary. It's a cell, surely as being enclosed behind a wall. Worse. Solitary confinement. . . . Help me Lil. Help me.
July 15 - I'll never see my house's again. The party's over.
July 19 - Humberto took me to a Dr. friend of his, had my pressure taken . . . Scare, Scare, Scare. It was 160-110. A real pressure cooker . . . Of course I've been out of my precious fish-oil for about eight days. He managed to get me a bottle & some garlic pills. Hopefully the pressure will drop before I do!!
July 20 - . . . I'm beginning to feel more & more like Michael Corrleone in the Godfather. I mean when he was sent to Sicily after killing a cop.
July 23 - Started drinking Pina Colodas early. By my writing you can tell I'm high. Boy do I miss you, Lillian.
July 28 - Wonderful day. Wonderful thought . . . Had dinner & then called Lil. How great she sounded (acted). Such bravado. Oh how I love her. She breathed new life & hope in me. I went from despair to bliss.
Aug. 4 - Bored. Bored. Bored. I never thought I would resent doing nothing. I thought I was the ideal lounger . . . trade winds are blowing up a storm today. Perhaps I'll take a ride on the Teleferico high-up, into the mountains. Maybe the cable-car will . . . SNAP!! . . . I didn't realize how difficult it was to hide a broken heart.
Aug. 5 - Whoops. There went my celibacy!! What a joke . . . Boy do I miss Lillian. Not just for sex. For compassion, for understanding, for conversation, for above all, love. Just got through watching "the Incredible Hulk" in Spanish . . . Oi vey!! What a camp!! Opened a bank account today.
Aug. 6 - I have no fear here. I walk around like "freeman". As they say here "no problema" A national saying. But, is it really worth it?
Aug. 9 - I feel as though everyone has abandoned me . . . I must realize I'm only bound to Lillian by love & not by blood. I guess "love" isn't all that binding . . . Slowly but, oh so sure I'm becomming a "rum-aholic." Drinking alone is terrible.
Aug. 16 - Called Lil. She's coming tomorrow. What a girl!! . . . She's staying for a week . . . Happiness is abounding in me. I love her so much.
Aug. 17 - Lil got here. Safe, sound & best of all . . . alone. How happy it made me to see her after 9 weeks . . . We stopped at a roadside Colmado (restaurant) & had something to eat. Lil loved it. Flies & all. We watched videos of the kids, had a couple drinks of rum & then went to bed . . . Amen.
Aug. 19 - The thought of her leaving me shortly is beginning to depress me . . . Lil found a horseshoe & made me keep it for luck.
Aug. 20 - We had a knocked-out hollering affair. We both felt terrible later.
Aug. 22 - My Lillian surprised (shocked) me by going on a speed boat parachute ride high up in the Carribean sky . . . The very same Lillian who's petrified in an automobile.
Aug. 24 - Got Lil off to the Airport. Watched in deep sorrow as she & her plane went up, up and away. Prior to that we had quite a few tears fall from both our eyes.
Aug. 25 - I thought over everything Lil tried to get across to me. She's so right. I must stop feeling sorry for myself & start appreciating what ever free time I have. Who knows what tomorrow brings.
Aug. 30 - I'm actually beginning to get out of my rut. My frame of mind is excellent. I just do what I must and stop feeling as though I've passed on.
Sept. 21 - . . . instead of elation. Tears, tears, tears!! I wish this life on Buddy-boy & his family . . .
Sept. 22 - . . . met with a lawyer in Santiago today. I don't want to get overly optimistic but for a price he said he could help me. He also assured me that the Dominican Republic has no extradition treaty with the United States. I'm somewhat skeptical at this. However if this is so . . . I'll be ecstatic!!
Oct. 4 - I'm sitting here getting morbid & depressed listening to Frank Sinatra sing "It was a very good year." Somehow I suddenly feel very old & my life is slipping away rapidly . . .
Oct. 23 - Went to the opening of Puerto Plata's one & only casino. It's no Vegas. Or Atlantic City, I did however leave them a donation of 4,000 Pesos ($1,000 u.s.) Oh, well I'll get them at another time.
Oct. 24 - A rainy morning. I'd like to think that the heavens are shedding tears for me. I watched a couple innings of the World Series & was slowly bored. Very depressing day.
Nov. 9 - I miss everybody but Buddy-boy.
Nov. 21 - A heavy night of drinking . . . I know now where the phrase ''Rum-soaked" came from. Most likely the tropics.
Nov. 23 - I was scared out of my wits last night. At about four a.m. I was awakened by loud banging at the front door. I was sure that the party was over. Thank God, it was only a very drunk Mel. Needing a place to sleep. Unable to drive. I can't tell you how happy I was to see him . . .
Nov. 26 - Turkey day, not here, but in my home sweet home. I'll miss the delectable dinner Lil & the kids are sure to be enjoying today. I'm certain I'll be remembered, loved, missed & toasted to!!
Dec. 12 - I die a thousand deaths each day . . . No one can ever know unless they've lived a life alone.
Dec. 17 - Six months to the day since my hasty departure from the states & civilization. Could it be that long? Time sure is fleeting. To bed very late. Awoke very late to a dreary sunless day. Had pancakes for lunch.
Dec. 19 - Drove to Santiago to visit Humberto. Stopped on the road & bought some tangerines. Also saw the atty. Got a guarantee for $25,000 U.S. Pretty steep, but well worth it. Dec. 24 - Christmas eve. Big deal.
Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas. Yea, sure!! A boring, sad, depressing day!!
Jan. 1, 1988 - (N.Y. Day. Big Deal) Rain, rain, rain. No parade. Joke!!! Had a great N.Y. eve. Stayed in all night listening to KYW on the radio.
Jan. 7 - Off to Santiago on a mission. I hope to find fish oil. If not then a doctor & a mild diuretic. Hopefully the former. The weather finally broke. Another beautiful day. Somehow it's nice to know they're freezing back home. (especially Bud Warner. Ha-ha).
(Six days later, Dominican national police arrested Staino without incident near his beach house. Agent Warner was with the police when they closed in).