Merlino Trial thread

[mr white]

I don't see how Joey can get caught on tape telling a bookie he has to give him something and then say he left the mob. For me it's that simple at least on the taking money for gambling front. If that means you're still in the mob and probably still the boss of the Philly mob then I'm not sure how that leads into conspiracy or Rico. But who the f*** else tells bookies that they have to Fork over cash besides mob bosses?

[monarch]

Dave Schratwieser:

Joey Merlino jury asks for more tapes, testimony from Wayne Kreisberg in healthcare scheme.

[Teflon john]

Regarding whether or not he actually did the crime?
I truly can't make a call.
One hand I can't believe basis Merlino's greedy nature that, exposed to such an opportunity he could turn it down, but on the other hand I find the evidence of his participation astoundingly minimal considering Rubeo was around him for years and the FBI watching him like hawks the whole time boils down to a snippert of tape and another convict's word.

So I can't imagine Merlino saying no, but I can't imagine Merlino saying yes and this is all the evidence.

Who the fuck knows.

Merlino's greedy nature? Who the hell in that life isn't greedy? Thats the whole point isn't it,to make as much as possible as low-key as possible. They are all greedy or else they would get up everyday and go to work like i do.

[dack2001]

Interesting that they want to hear the Kreisberg tapes, my bet the jury is trying to square the tapes with the testimony and is finding that to be a difficult task. If you can't square the tapes, I guess you have to acquit.

[sdeitche]

So you guys don't think Merlino saw any of that $157 million coin pound cream money?

From the amounts of money that I heard Kriseberg testifying about when I sat in on the trial last week, no way the total came anywhere close to $157 million.

Can you give any details on his testimony?

First off I heard the prosecutors refer to the pain cream stuff as the "cream scheme" which I immediately trademarked for the title of a book, indie rock band, or title of porno.

Just some notes from my scribbles:
Kriseberg (K) testimony:

Kriseberg paid Rubeo and Camacvo $800 per script
K was told that "Joey ran Philly"
Sirkin told Kto pay Camacho and Rubeo because Sirkin told K that he had a sitdown with Merlino
A lot of personal disputes between Camacho and K over money
K was addicted to pain pills
K owed Brad Sirkin money over gambling debt - supposedly sitdown with Merlino over debt
K was gambling on football, baseball, basketball- online
K used burner phones in the "cream scheme" (trademarked- keep away)
K saw Sirkin Pay Merlino at Dino and Frank resto in Boca (formerly Merlinos) - this became a good part of the cross. K admitted there were 30-40 people at the bar and he only saw a quick exchange. IN testimony he said merlino counted out the bills. Lie
K ran into Merlino after Merlinos closed (fall 2016) and agreed to go partners in a new restaurant (mayeb Dino and Franks- I was unsure on this timeline). Around the same time as indictment came down

This was interesting:
K was indicted with the "enterprise" in 2016. Prior to that in 2/11/15 and 2/11/16 he had proffer sessions with the FBI. Then a third on 11/2/17

[Rocco]

http://www.fox29.com/news/jurors-deadlo ... lino-trial

deadlocked jury. if he beats this case with a hung jury and they decide not to retry him. He should drive immediately to the nearest casino and let it all ride.... cause that's how lucky he would be. lol federal conviction rates...odds are stacked against you.

[dack2001]

The Feds have a rule, your cooperation must result in the prosecution of another party or else they will not recommend deviation from the sentencing guidelines. Many times the names you have the Feds don't want. That's a cold, hard fact. Many people try to proffer in the Fed system and are turned down cold because the Feds don't want the case. Can be one or 200 prosecutions, you can proffer until you are blue in the face and it won't help you until the Feds want to file charges against someone. Looks like Kreisberg found the magic words.

[Teddy Persico]

So you guys don't think Merlino saw any of that $157 million coin pound cream money?

From the amounts of money that I heard Kriseberg testifying about when I sat in on the trial last week, no way the total came anywhere close to $157 million.

Can you give any details on his testimony?

First off I heard the prosecutors refer to the pain cream stuff as the "cream scheme" which I immediately trademarked for the title of a book, indie rock band, or title of porno.

Just some notes from my scribbles:
Kriseberg (K) testimony:

Kriseberg paid Rubeo and Camacvo $800 per script
K was told that "Joey ran Philly"
Sirkin told Kto pay Camacho and Rubeo because Sirkin told K that he had a sitdown with Merlino
A lot of personal disputes between Camacho and K over money
K was addicted to pain pills
K owed Brad Sirkin money over gambling debt - supposedly sitdown with Merlino over debt
K was gambling on football, baseball, basketball- online
K used burner phones in the "cream scheme" (trademarked- keep away)
K saw Sirkin Pay Merlino at Dino and Frank resto in Boca (formerly Merlinos) - this became a good part of the cross. K admitted there were 30-40 people at the bar and he only saw a quick exchange. IN testimony he said merlino counted out the bills. Lie
K ran into Merlino after Merlinos closed (fall 2016) and agreed to go partners in a new restaurant (mayeb Dino and Franks- I was unsure on this timeline). Around the same time as indictment came down

This was interesting:
K was indicted with the "enterprise" in 2016. Prior to that in 2/11/15 and 2/11/16 he had proffer sessions with the FBI. Then a third on 11/2/17

Great info. Much appreciated.

[TJ]

great stuff scott

[monarch]

NY Post | February 15, 2018 | 10:49pm

Judge gives deadlocked jury another day to decide fate of reputed mob boss

Jurors at the Manhattan racketeering trial of reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino revealed they were deadlocked Thursday, but the judge said he’d keep them deliberating at least another day.

The jury foreperson sent out a note at 3:55 p.m. that read, “We the jury are unable to come to an unanimously (sic) decision on the four counts.”

Before summoning the panel, federal Judge Richard Sullivan told both sides that he wasn’t ready to declare a hung jury after little more than a day of deliberation.

“This was a two-ish-week trial. There were long days that were pretty dense. This has not been an inordinate amount of time to be deliberating,” he said.

Sullivan also said he would consider delivering an “Allen charge” — stern instructions intended to avoid a mistrial — if the jury sent out a similar note “at this point tomorrow.”

As the jury entered the courtroom, several members shuffled their feet and had weary expressions on their faces, then scowled as the judge told them: “Go until 5:30 and then pick up again tomorrow.”

“Sometimes a fresh start helps. Don’t stress about it. This is what deliberation is,” he added.

[SonnyBlackstein]

An 'Allen charge' is when the judge urges those in the minority to reconsider their decision, FYI.

[Frank]

An 'Allen charge' is when the judge urges those in the minority to reconsider their decision, FYI.

There's another stupid thing about our justice system. The jury should not be pressured by the judge to change their opinion either way.

[SonnyBlackstein]

An 'Allen charge' is when the judge urges those in the minority to reconsider their decision, FYI.

There's another stupid thing about our justice system. The jury should not be pressured by the judge to change their opinion either way.

Agree, in principle. But its somewhat of a practical necessity.
Trying to get 12 people to agree, left completely to to themselves, would probably result in 75% of trials ending in hung juries. The system would be rendered effectively useless without certain compromises like the above.

[TwoPiece]

Honestly I think Merlino has it beat. It's easier for us to think he's guilty cause we know a lot about the guy (personally I have little doubt that he was involved but we're going off the evidence here), but there is just so little that definitively links him to the charges that IMO it's an easy call that the government has not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

[joeycigars]

The Feds threw a a bad case together , You can pick up tens of thousands of criminals in Philly and youll get a better case with violence drugs scams and gang affiliation , this is as weak as a case I ever seen , So much hoopla and money for the big east coast LCN enterprise boss Merlino , Beam me the fuck up to the enterprise Merlino won this gamble even if its not a full acquittal just hung , Now the defense knows what evidence they had ....None , Feds overplayed there hand Merlino called it like he saw it the hand