Carmine J. Persico, the unpredictable leader of the New York-based Colombo crime family who the authorities believe had a strong hand in the assassinations of the mob bosses Albert Anastasia and Joey Gallo, died a prisoner on Thursday in a hospital in Durham, N.C. He was 85. His lawyer, Benson Weintraub, confirmed the death, at Duke University Medical Center, but said he did not know the cause. Mr. Persico was serving a combined 139-year sentence at a nearby federal prison, in Butner, N.C. Mr. Weintraub had been representing Mr. Persico in litigation against the Bureau of Prisons. Mr. Persico contended...