Mobsters testifying in their own defense

[B.]

I just finished the Family Secrets book and loved it. Chicago is one area that has been insanely hard for me to get into, but I feel like this book broke it down in a way that I could finally bite into and I'll be checking out more.

Anyway, that's not what this is about.

I was amazed to read that so many Outfit members/associates testified in their own defense during this trial. This is something that is greatly frowned upon in New York and other cities because of the potential damage it can do to the overall defense, and no surprise, it was damaging to the defendants in the Family Secrets case.

I am sure there have been other examples (maybe even in NYC), but can't think of any. Can we get a list of members who have done this and, if possible, what the outcome of the trial was?

[bronx]

GAMBINO, BADALMEMTE,

[Pogo The Clown]

John Ciancaglini testified in his own defense during the Merlino trial. He was acquited of the murder count (like the others) but convicted of everything else.


Pogo

[B.]

GAMBINO, BADALMEMTE,

That's right about Badalamenti. That def hurt his case even more.

Which Gambino testified?

[Mukremin]

Carmine Persico did it during his trial

[HairyKnuckles]

Lucky Luciano in 1936. It didn´t do him any good.

Carmine Tramunti (on trial for mail and stock fraud in 1971) was actually found not guilty but was later reindicted because he was caught in a lie when he testified on his own behalf. Found guilty this time and sentenced to 5 years.

[Ivan]

Carmine Persico did it during his trial

Yeah, some of the shit he said was pretty funny. ("Without the mafia, there wouldn't even be no case here!") Technically he was acting as his own lawyer.

[Mukremin]

Carmine Persico did it during his trial

Yeah, some of the shit he said was pretty funny. ("Without the mafia, there wouldn't even be no case here!") Technically he was acting as his own lawyer.

Yeah he was talking with a street accent, Selwyn Raab described it very good in his book.

[Curiosity]

Carmine Persico did it during his trial

Yeah, some of the shit he said was pretty funny. ("Without the mafia, there wouldn't even be no case here!") Technically he was acting as his own lawyer.

That's interesting, never knew he acted as his own lawyer. Any other cases of mobsters doing this?
Also, would testifying in your defense be considered as something like ratting? Or does it depend on circumstances? Hope that question made sense.

[bronx]

GAMBINO, BADALMEMTE,

That's right about Badalamenti. That def hurt his case even more.

Which Gambino testified?

SARINO

[bronx]

Carmine Persico did it during his trial

NOT TESTIFY, LAWYER

[Benny Squint]

A few instances I'm aware of :

Bill Bonanno at his credit card/mail fraud/extortion trial in the late 6o's

Joe Massino at his highjacking/conspiracy trial in the mid to late 70's

Harry Riccobene at his murder/conspiracy trial in the mid 80's

[B.]

A few instances I'm aware of :

Bill Bonanno at his credit card/mail fraud/extortion trial in the late 6o's

Joe Massino at his highjacking/conspiracy trial in the mid to late 70's

Harry Riccobene at his murder/conspiracy trial in the mid 80's

That's right, I had forgotten about Riccobene. He testified that he was involved in gambling and loansharking but not the head of the rival faction that killed Frank Monte.

Between his time as an FBI informant and the interviews he gave later, it's not too surprising he would be willing to testify.

[bronx]

john gotti testified in a grand jury

[Wiseguy]

Inside the Mob: Court records: Jimmy Santaniello strip club millionaire, Mafia trough, police and FBI informant
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/ ... iello.html