Gangland Sept 29th 2022

[Dr031718]

High Drama In Brooklyn Federal Court As FBI Agent Gives Dramatic Readings In The Sally Daz Murder Trial

It could have been a couple of actors reading lines of dialogue from an off-Broadway play. Except the scene was Brooklyn Federal Court and the parts were being read by an FBI agent seated on the witness stand and an assistant U.S. attorney who was standing at the podium.

The dialogue wasn't written by a playwright. It came from numerous cryptic text messages that were exchanged by men charged with a murder for hire plot against Bonanno crime family associate Sylvester (Sally Daz) Zottola and his son Salvatore.

After three weeks and testimony from 56 witnesses, the prosecution in the murder trial of Anthony Zottola, who is charged with killing his father and trying to kill his brother, has been tying up its case with dramatic readings of the texts to the jury. And to make sure the jurors catch the exact words, the texts have been also presented on video monitors as they were read aloud.

As theater goes, it was a powerful scene. As murder trials go, it appears to have been a crushing blow to the hopes of the defendants. Playing the lead role was the FBI agent who arrested Bushawn (Shelz) Shelton for the gangland-style slaying of Sally Daz in a murder-for-hire plot allegedly orchestrated by the dead man's son, Anthony Zottola.

In two days of testimony, FBI agent Michael Zoufal teamed up with the lead prosecutor in the case to tie Anthony Zottola to the murder-for-hire scheme by reading aloud dozens of damning-sounding text messages that Shelton exchanged with Zottola and his cohorts during the 13-month-long reign of terror against Sally Daz that ended with his killing on October 4, 2018.

In each reading, Zoufal played the role of the street gang boss and spoke the words that Shelton was texting to his underlings and Zottola. In addition to posing questions to the witness, assistant U.S. attorney Kayla Bensing also voiced the texted replies of Anthony Zottola and the Shelton cohort who was at the scene of the crime.

The texts, according to the prosecution, were almost a play-by-play as the assaults were carried out. As one of Shelton's thugs, Branden Peterson, who has pleaded guilty in the case, was punching and kicking the 70-year-old mob associate to the ground on September 8, 2017, his son Anthony was texting Shelton who was communicating with Peterson, Zoufal testified.

Anthony Zottola never met Peterson, but Zoufal testified about text messages between Zottola and Shelton while the street gang boss was texting Peterson during the planning and the assault of his father to link him to the crime. It happened on August 29, Zoufal testified, after Shelton got a text from Peterson, who was staked out in front of Sally Daz's home office on Hobart Avenue in the Bronx:

Peterson to Shelton: "I'm here. Been since 7:45. It's quiet so far."
Shelton to Anthony Zottola: "Another day waiting at the bus stop since 7:45 and still no bus."
Anthony Zottola to Shelton: "Come by little place. I am here."
Shelton to Peterson: "I just sent homie a message."

A Shelton text to Zottola on the day of the assault showed the son was involved, Zoufal testified. After Shelton received a one minute and 34 second phone call from Peterson at 8:43 AM on September 8, he sent this text to Zottola: "Peace my brother. Is everything good with you? On my way to work I passed your house and it's a lot of police out front. Just making sure you ok."

Peterson also texted Shelton a picture he took of three police cars in front of Sally Daz's house, which triggered the following texts, Zoufal testified:

Shelton to Peterson: "He didn't answer. So I just sent him a text."
Peterson to Shelton: "Okay. Imma wait. See if they go."
Anthony Zottola to Shelton: "For now, yes."
Shelton to Anthony Zottola: "Making sure you're okay?"
Shelton to Peterson: "He don't know nothing on his end?
Peterson to Shelton: "Okay. I'm out here. His car here too. Does he work today, cuz or tell son see for us."
Shelton to Peterson: "Okay. I will check. Are the boys still out there?"

Peterson never responded to Shelton's text that day, but the police cars obviously left because that's when Peterson can be seen on surveillance video approaching Sally Daz and speaking to him briefly, before punching him numerous times, knocking him to the ground, and walking away.

Zoufal, 34, had been an FBI agent for just two years when he took over the FBI investigation in July of 2018. That was two days after Anthony Zottola's brother Salvatore, was shot three times in front of his Bronx home. Zoufal prepared the exhibits of the texts among Zottola, Shelton and cohorts in each assault, as well as the fatal shooting.

The G-man has linked Zottola to the attempted murder of his brother and all the attacks on his father, including the fatal October 4, 2018 shooting of Sally Daz by the accused hit team members on trial with Zottola, Himen (Ace) Ross and Alfred (Aloe) Lopez.

There are too many texts to show them all — nearly 5000 — but here are excerpts from the day before, the day of, and the day after Sally Daz was killed, that have been introduced into evidence.

On October 3, 2018, a day before Sally Daz was killed in a McDonald's drive thru, Shelton and Anthony Zottola seem to be discussing a baseball game:

AZ: I am glad you got the game in last night
BS: Yes they are out right now on a press run
AZ: Ok. Good stuff How was pregame
BS: Still watching the warmup
AZ: You think you get a game in tonight if the refs are available.
BS: They are at the stadium now been warming up since 11 am Missed a few opportunities but they are suited to play At this point I know they not trying to leave without playing
AZ: They are ready. Dedication
BS: I'm giving them time. I don't want to keep pressing the refs and they get frustrated and walk off
AZ: Good. Maybe they are good players all around for other sports True. Good refs are hard to find these days
BS: Nah they definitely are good athletes as long as long as the endorsement checks are right. I'm trying to get them a steady deal with Nike
AZ: Wow. Great.
BS: The Team just hit me. They heading back to the locker room I'm going to get an update I was waiting in the coaches box The game was called and rescheduled for tomorrow I'll find out why I'll know in 15minutes
AZ: Let me know. I guess they didn't like the team they were playing or earlier is better to beat the dark with lights Everything ok
BS: Yeah just ran out of time the union won't allow the players to play past a certain time or they'll void their contract and then they'll be living on the street
AZ: Definitely can't have that. Maybe a earlier game and allow themselves travel time to and from the fields
BS: But they have another early practice set up for tomorrow and that's it they are ready Exactly
AZ: Early bird gets the worm. So I heard. Be a blessed lunch or dinner for us. Have a blessed night.
BS: You too have a blessed night.
AZ: Peace my man

On October 4, 2018, the day that Sally Daz was killed, Shelton begins this excerpt after Anthony Zottola suggests that they and their wives can "both take vacation soon and meet up on vacation."

BS: Kay's doing better, she wants to start it again so I'm just trying to clear up my credit card to go for this twice. I'm banking on my players to land a big contract today so the signing bonus would get me all the way straight.
AZ: Yes. U can be singing fat joe song "All the way up" Our blessings is what we have. My prayers are for you and Kay to have your family with her. You know family means a lot to us all. I will say a special pray later to make her have the best blessings she could ask for by a woman to hold.
BS: Thank you my brother I really appreciate you Can we party today or tomorrow
AZ: Tomorrow most likely. I have dr appointment in morning and I meet later I hear you. I have the cases of water for you in a day or so
BS: Ok my blessings on your appointment
Himen RossAZ: Cool It's my lil man bday I am taking him to his favorite place mc Donald's than a movie. LOL Like I can eat that stuff. Thank you for being a great friend my man
BS: Tell the young king I wish him a happy new year. Enjoy I'll link you when your free Hey its like its your birthday today as well lol Peace I'll talk to you later
AZ: Peace my man thank you

And on the morning of October 5, 2018, less than 24 hours after his dad was shot to death, Zottola begins this excerpt at 7:05 AM.

AZ: Thank you for all your blessings tell Kay she will get a nice picture today
BS: No problem brother my apologies for the time and headaches
AZ: U never apologize to me U my brother
BS: True brother but that's just me
AZ: My man. C you later

At Lunch Time, 1:36 PM, Zottola begins this text exchange with his "brother:"

AZ: I didn't know it was your anniversary on Wednesday Happy Anniversary wife is all excited you're going to take her somewhere
BS: I'm not sure yet I've been focused on finishing the movie I haven't been focused on anything else 8 minutes away I maybe 5
AZ: Ok I am in my work truck White with red ladder

At Dinner Time, at 6PM, the best buds are still chatting:

AZ: Also we will meet when I get back and catch up
BS: Ok, I put the water down and ran out the door Just had to clear some things up I am definitely looking forward to catching up Peace brother I pray all is well and you enjoy your break with the wife
AZ: All good. Did you drink the water. Was it the right one
BS: Definitely was the right one thanks I was able to water the plants and get some of them squared away
AZ: Glad to hear. Would you like to meet Wednesday or Thursday I am going to get mri to make sure all is clear and then going to sit with contractors for your house to first Thing is to hang permits on the window and then the second thing is to change your front and back door as soon as possible and put new Alfred Lopezkeys on it so please ask your wife and let me know it she likes any type of front door and back door or would you like me to pick it out for you something that has a nice style of class If the words are not coming in correctly I am sorry I am talk texting and drivin
BS: Thursday we can link. Yes she does want certain doors for the front.

At 5:20 PM on October 10, 2018, a few days after Sally Daz was laid to rest, the duo discussed meeting the following day at 5:30 to work out plans for Anthony to continue helping Shelton fix up his home – a get-together that FBI agent Michael Zoufal canceled by arresting Shelton for plotting to kill Sylvester and Salvatore Zottola on October 11, 2018:

AZ: I have a 4:30-5:30 and another 6:30-7:30. is 5:30 good.
BS: 5:30 is perfect
AZ: My man. I spoke with the financial advisor today so we will talk tomorrow about the rest Have a blessed night
BS: Ok great you have a blessed night as well. I pray your feeling better.
AZ: It's crazy but since I've been family with you I am blessed and I feel better each day thank you for being a wonderful brother

Defense Cries Foul Over Government Text Evidence; Judge Says It's All Good

Enough already!

That sums up the posture of attorneys for Anthony Zottola over the brutal battering he got last week from testimony by FBI agent Michael Zoufal who read aloud texts linking him to his father's killing and the shooting of his brother. Even before agent Zoufal took the stand for the second day yesterday, Zottola's defense team seemed to cry uncle about the day one legal stomping the G-man had given their client in a filing to trial Judge Hector Gonzalez.

To let the feds continue to introduce texts that Bushawn (Shelz) Shelton sent to others "in the murder-for-hire plot" alongside coded messages between Shelton and Zottola without letting the defense use other texts to tell jurors about different crimes they were committing, "distorts the truth" and cuts off "Zottola's defense at the knees," the lawyers wrote.

"The inference that the government asks the jury to draw is that because Shelton discussed murder with others while speaking in code with Mr. Zottola's device, those coded Zottola-Shelton messages must relate to murder as well," wrote defense lawyers Henry Mazurek and Ilana Haramati.

The attorneys wrote that Zottola "facilitated" robbery and drug dealing by Shelton and his thugs "by giving Shelton access to stash houses and information about tenants." They argued that the government's "hand-picked selection" of texts about a murder-for-hire scheme wrongly ties him to a "murder plot, which was not one in which Mr. Zottola knowingly participated."

"This is critical context" for "Zottola's defense theory," they wrote. The coded text messages between Zottola and Shelton did not reflect a murder plot, "but rather other illegitimate business with Shelton, including drug dealing and inside information for robberies."

Judge Gonzalez made short shrift of the defense request. He stated that none of the "proffered texts" that the defense wants to use "supports – either directly or through reasonable inferences – the defense theory that Zottola facilitated Shelton's drug dealing and related robberies," or were relevant. Gonzalez denied the motion Tuesday, while trial was adjourned for Rosh Hashanah.

In addition, the Judge wrote, "Zottola also fails to explain how the texts he seeks to admit would undercut a connection between the admitted texts and the murder-for-hire conspiracy" since they "neither explain nor clarify the texts offered by the government."

Following agent Zoufal, who resumes the witness stand today, the government still plans to call 10 more witnesses before resting, according to prosecutor Bensing.

Letter From Federal Prosecutor Wins Compassion For Genovese Wiseguy

With the help of a federal prosecutor in Manhattan who had originally recommended he serve five more years behind bars, Genovese wiseguy John (Johnny T) Tortora has won a compassionate release from the Bureau of Prisons , according to his lawyer.

The warden at the federal prison hospital in Ayer Massachusetts where the 65-year-old Tortora has been housed since March agreed to his release after assistant U.S. attorney Justin Rodriguez wrote a letter to the BOP stating that the government had no evidence Johnny T was involved in a 1997 murder or "any other act of violence," according to attorney Barry Levin.

The official BOP database still lists Tortora, who has maintained that he was framed for the stabbing murder of Yonkers police informer Ricard Ortiz by the two government witnesses who carried out the murder themselves, as required to serve the two more years he received at his sentencing. But Levin told Gang Land that "Johnny will be released within next 30 days."

The BOP has to arrange his return to his home with the Probation Department," said Levin. "And when it comes to the government, it moves very slowly on matters that do not help the government."

In his letter to Warden A. Boncher, prosecutor Rodriguez did not state that Tortora was innocent of the killing. He wrote that "in connection with sentencing, Tortora did not admit to, nor did the government prove, Mr. Tortora's participation in the murder of Richard Ortiz or any other act of violence."

Tortora, who spent 23 months behind bars following his arrest, was released on bail in 2020 when he copped a plea deal calling for up to seven years behind bars for obstruction of justice and illegal gambling.

Tortora received a four-year sentence from Judge Sidney Stein, but with credit for the time he had already spent behind bars waiting for trial, Johnny T was ordered to serve two more years, which technically does not end until November of next year.

[Dapper_Don]

thanks for posting

[SonnyBlackstein]

Fuckin YAWN.

Thanks for posting anyhoo Doc.

[AntComello]

Why did the bloods guy attack zattola senior with punches the day after they shoot the son? I thought they were there to kill him? Instead the bloods guy walks up and throws punches at him? Am I missing something

[Don sterling]

thanks for posting

[Adam]

I feel like I'm getting Zottola murder overload. I know it's an interesting case but Jesus it's so much every week.

[Waingro]

There's really not much else to report on so he's got to get as much out of that case as he can.

[Tonyd621]

The govt admitting they don't have a case against Johnny T for the murder of Ortiz and putting it in a letter. That's hit to their ego.
I do have a question why would the DA write a letter to the BOP regarding that? I mean they house prisoners and they have really control of when he gets released. The court decides that so why did they have to write a letter to the BOP?

[Ivan]

Fuckin YAWN.

In a gripping courtroom scene reminiscent of a dramatic off-Broadway play it was revealed that text messages sent by some retarded black guys may or may not be relevant to the case in that prosecutors contend that the texts are material under a little-used statue of the New York criminal code however the defense notes that pursuant to article 7 of oh WHO THE FUCK CARES

I feel like I'm getting Zottola murder overload. I know it's an interesting case but Jesus it's so much every week.

There are people who have it worse than us, you know. Be glad you're not an investigator who has to read through all five thousand of Trayshawn's and G-Dog's text messages.

[Rocco]

omg enough of the Zottola murder trial. Its pretty clear the kid is a moron and is gonna get convicted. The evidence is all there. Move the F on.

[Amershire_Ed]

Thx for posting

[SonnyBlackstein]

Fuckin YAWN.

In a gripping courtroom scene reminiscent of a dramatic off-Broadway play it was revealed that text messages sent by some retarded black guys may or may not be relevant to the case in that prosecutors contend that the texts are material under a little-used statue of the New York criminal code however the defense notes that pursuant to article 7 of oh WHO THE FUCK CARES

BWAHAHAHHAHA

Gold Ivan.
Made Sonny actually laugh out loud.

[Ivan]

Fuckin YAWN.

In a gripping courtroom scene reminiscent of a dramatic off-Broadway play it was revealed that text messages sent by some retarded black guys may or may not be relevant to the case in that prosecutors contend that the texts are material under a little-used statue of the New York criminal code however the defense notes that pursuant to article 7 of oh WHO THE FUCK CARES

BWAHAHAHHAHA

Gold Ivan.
Made Sonny actually laugh out loud.

Heh, well at least we got something out of it.

Only thing possibly interesting about this case is whether it's revealed that there's something weird going on in this family besides control of the business because I don't see anyone whacking their own dad just for money alone. If that happens, someone just let me know, because I can't keep reading this shit.

[Uforeality]

This case reminds me of the Menendez brothers. It's about money and control. This Anthony kid is going to live out the rest of his life behind bars.

[mlm0047]

Am I the only one who thinks zottola didn’t kill the father?