No Atheists At A Mob Trial

Friends of Ours ^ | 05/09/12 | Friends of Ours

[AtlasStalled]

He claims to have renounced the mob and found God.

In opening arguments at the racketeering trial against alleged Gambino associate John Burke the defense lawyer says his client left the mob in 2003, and thus the five-year period by which to bring the case has expired under the statute of limitations as reported by Tom Hays for The Associated Press; however, federal prosecutors "are seeking to prove that he was part of a racketeering conspiracy -- including three murders -- that began in 1980 and lasted until at least until 2008."

Burke purportedly left the life for The Way while "behind bars for various Mafia crimes," and now he spreads the Good News over the internet through his blog as reported by the New York Post: "I will continue to put my trust in Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior,' Burke wrote on his blog. "My Lord has a way to set a person free - even when they are locked up in prison.'"

Apparently a number of alleged mobsters are claiming that the only connection they have is with Jesus Christ.

During the racketeering trial of alleged Colombo boss Thomas Gioeli -- the jury is in its second week of deliberations -- a Father Peter occasionally sat "in the front row next to Gioeli's wife, Maureen, giving jurors a clear view of his black suit and priest collar" as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News, and in closing argument the reputed mobster's defense lawyer recited scripture as reported by Mitchel Maddux for the New York Post.

A number of priests recently have stepped forward to shill for accused mobsters.

Stephen "Beach" Depiro, a reputed Genovese soldier whom the feds accuse of waterfront extortion, was released on bail in March 2011 after three priests vouched for him as reported by George Anastasia for The Inquirer:

In a letter to the court supporting Depiro's request for bail, three priests and a deacon at his church - St. Theresa's in Kenilworth - cited "his sincerity" and his "participation in pastoral programs" and added that "some of our parishioners . . . told us they are inspired by his prayerful attitude and kindness."

And Anthony Colandra, a reputed Colombo mobster whom the feds accuse of lying to prosecutors about his suspected role in two hits, was released on bail in January 2011 after a priest stood up for him as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News: "'He's like my brother from another mother,' the Rev. Louis Leonelli said of their close relationship."

Perhaps the men can form a support group: good Christians falsely accused as bad mobsters.

[allmendream]

---

Pete: Well I’ll be a sonofabitch. Delmar’s been saved.
Delmar O’Donnell: Well that’s it, boys. I’ve been redeemed. The preacher’s done warshed away all my sins and transgressions. It’s the straight and narrow from here on out, and heaven everlasting’s my reward.
Ulysses Everett McGill: Delmar, what are you talking about? We’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Delmar O’Donnell: The preacher says all my sins is warshed away, including that Piggly Wiggly I knocked over in Yazoo.
Ulysses Everett McGill: I thought you said you was innocent of those charges?
Delmar O’Donnell: Well I was lyin’. And the preacher says that that sin’s been warshed away too. Neither God nor man’s got nothin’ on me now. C’mon in boys, the water is fine

Pete: The Preacher said it absolved us.
Ulysses Everett McGill: For him, not for the law. I’m surprised at you, Pete, I gave you credit for more brains than Delmar.
Delmar O’Donnell: But they was witnesses that seen us redeemed.
Ulysses Everett McGill: That’s not the issue Delmar. Even if that did put you square with the Lord, the State of Mississippi’s a little more hard-nosed.
[laughs]
Ulysses Everett McGill: Baptism! You two are just dumber than a bag of hammers!