Prosecutors are out to prove that Joel “Joe Waverly” Cacace the former consigliere for the Colombo crime family ordered the killing of NYPD cop Ralph Dols. Dols was shot to death outside his home in 1997 by a Colombo family hit squad. Prosecutors claim Cacace ordered Dols death because he had married the mobsters ex-wife Kim Kennaugh which Cacace seens as am embarrassment. Cacace was a ruthless force with in the Colombo family and when he gave an order it was carried out without question said prosecutor Sam Nitze. Nitze said of the mobster who carried out the brutal mob hit that an order from Cacace was one they had no choice but to follow. Nitze said that the defendant may not have pulled the trigger himself but he is to be held responsible since he gave the order.
“Joel Cacace”
The prosecution has lined up an array of former mobsters turned rat to take the stand against Cacace. Among them are Dino Calabro who admitted to his role in the Dols killing and Joseph Competiello who was also involved in the murder. Former Bonanno family underboss now in the witness protection program Salvatore “Good Looking Sal” Vitale also was called to testify about the basic’s of mob activity. Colombo mobsters Dino Saracino and Tommy Gioeli were also charged in the Dols murder but were acquitted last year. Attorney Susan Kellman claims there is no evidence to link her client Cacace to the Dols murder and prosecutors are hoping that he is found guilty solely because he is associated to organized crime. Kellman called the witnesses being called by prosecutors animals , maniacs, and soulless killers looking to save themselves by lying about her client.
Cacace is facing an additional 10 years in prison for his part in the 1987 murder of mafia prosecutor William Aronwald. It is believed that Cacace on order from Carmine Persico helped set up the hit on Aronwald but it was botched and his elderly father was killed instead. Cacace then had fellow mobster Eddie Carnini killed because of the botched slaying and shacked up with Carnini’s widow Kennaugh.
