Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Jurors plead to be spared from mafia trial

Seven jurors entered last-minute requests to be dismissed from the trial of an alleged Mafia boss yesterday as prosecutors described how John Gotti Jr left a trail of victims in his wake.

The reasons for the juror reluctance were not disclosed but jury selection in the racketeering and murder case has already revealed some nervousness about potential retaliation in the event of a guilty verdict.

Last week, a potential juror was dismissed from the pool after he admitted friends had warned him: "Forget it - you'll get a bullet in the head".

For the fourth time in five years, the same Manhattan court heard opening statements in a trial of Mr Gotti, the son of one of America's most notorious Mob chiefs.

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