Many people, including the families of two men that where allegedly killed over a spilt drink, were relieved to see a career criminal with mob connections sentenced to life in prison for crimes that began over 30 years ago, as reported by CNN.
An alleged key player in an organized crime family, B.V., 65, killed a bar owner after the barkeep spilled a drink on the girlfriend of an associate in 1981. Other crimes, including drug trafficking and illegal gambling, dated back to 1978.
C.O., a family member of one murdered man, commented to the court, "Thirty-three years is a very long time to wait for justice. We have our closure, but we have been waiting for justice."
B.V., who has maintained his innocence, declined to make a statement before he was sentenced in U.S. District Court. His attorneys, Charles Carnesi and Joseph DiBenedetto, plan to appeal.
B.V. was sentenced to life without parole plus 10 years on his 2013 conviction for racketeering conspiracy.
On April 11, 1981 business partners R.G. and J.D. were killed after a dispute with an alleged Gambino mafia family associate and others – over a spilt drink. The patron left the bar after the dispute, picked up B.V. and one other Gambino family associate, and went back to the bar. Then, according to authorities, they shot "two innocent bar owners" to death.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office B.V., who also goes by the name Bobby Glasses, went into hiding for several weeks after the murders. Years later he allegedly retuned to the Gambino family, and into a more active role.
In 1988 G.V. was charged with murdering R.G. and J.D., however, he was acquitted of state charges after a 2002 trial. Prosecutors stated that at the time not a single witness could identify B.V. as the killer.
Years later, in January of 2011, G.V. was arrested again. A national sweep of 100 alleged crime family members, and known associates, resulted in G.V. being charged with federal racketeering.
During the new trial an eyewitness explained the reason he failed to identify G.V., and two others, in 2002: he was afraid of mob retaliation. According to a 2013 statement made by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the witness said, "Two men were dead over a spilled drink. I think that was reason enough to be afraid."
The witness went on to say that he saw G.V. point his gun directly at R.G.'s head. He also saw one of G.V's associates threaten J.D. with a gun. When J.D. tried to intervene and thwart the shooting of R.G., he himself was gunned down.
R.G.'s widow, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, commented, "It took too long, but we will take it. Justice has finally been served thanks to the lawyers, the jury, and all the witnesses who testified."
Whatever crime or crimes you have been charged with contact a criminal defense attorney to represent you. After you have taken that important first step, you can begin to work on your defense.
