Reputed Mob Boss Cleared of Murders
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From Staff and Wire Reports
Reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino was cleared by a jury on three murder charges but found guilty on 20 counts of extortion, illegal bookmaking and receiving stolen property.
Merlino and three of his six co-defendants had faced the possibility of life imprisonment for three murders in the 1990s.
Merlino also was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder and a cocaine trafficking charge.
The verdict followed a nearly four-month trial.
Prosecutors said Merlino could face seven years when he is sentenced in December.
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