Assistant U.S. Attorney John Han urged jurors in the ongoing Philadelphia mafia trial against mob boss Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi and six co-defendants to find them guilty based on the secretly recorded conversation.
Han said “There words define them” and to “consider the words that came out of there mouths” during his closing argument which began the last phase of the Philly mob trial. They were caught in the act of being themselves said Han by wiretaps and body wires worn by cooperating witnesses gathered during the investigation into the current Philly mafia leadership dating back to 1999. Violence Han said is the life blood of the mob and its the source of its power or the engine that makes the wheel move. Even though Ligambi and his co-defendants are charged with only gambling , extortion, and loan sharking as part of a racketeering conspiracy but no violent acts.
“Mob Boss Joseph Ligambi”
Prosecutors also provided jurors with a quick history lesson of the Philadelphia mafia stating that while faces change the goal of the mob remains the same. From the “Gentle Don” Angelo Bruno to the bloody Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo Philly mob leaders of the past are the same as Ligambi was the caretaker of an organization that used intimidation and violence to make money. Ligambi and current Philly mobsters lived off the reputation of this violent organization. A graphic picture of a wagon wheel with Ligambi photo in middle and photo’s of his co-defendants along with other mobsters at end of each spoke was shown to the jurors.
Joseph Santaguida the defense attorney for Joseph “Mousie” Massimino began closing arguments for the defense. Santaguida told jurors that the whole case was a waste of time and taxpayers money as millions were spent chasing after some bookmakers. Then failed in there attempt to prove its case against his client or any of the other defendants in the case. He went as far as shouting a line from the movie “The Godfather” saying “they owe my client an apology”. And not only his client but prosecutors also owed the taxpayers an apology as well. Santaguida also challenged the credibility of the key witnesses used by the government like mob associate Louis “Bent Finger Lou” Monacello and mob turncoat Peter “Pete the Crumb” Caprio.
Closing arguments are expected to last until Monday with lawyers for co-defendants George Borgesi , Joseph Licata, Anthony Staino , Damion Canalichio, and Joseph Ligambi to be heard from. Jury deliberations for the case are likely to begin on Tuesday.
