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Government Wraps Up Family Secrets Mob Trial

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Aug 27, 2007 8:07 pm US/Central

Government Wraps Up Family Secrets Mob Trial

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CBS 2's John Drummond and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(CBS) The historic Family Secrets mob trial wrapped up at the Dirksen Federal Building Monday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcus Funk replayed for jurors tapes of conversations between Frank Calabrese Sr. and his son, Frank Calabrese Jr. On the tapes, the father describes a mob ceremony that includes holding burning holy pictures in cupped hands.

Jurors will be asked to decide the fate of Calabrese Sr. and four other defendants after weeks of testimony about the inner workings of the Chicago mob.

They're accused of taking part in a conspiracy that included 18 long unsolved murders, illegal gambling, loan sharking and extortion.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcus Funk replayed for jurors tapes of conversations between Frank Calabrese Sr. and his son, Frank Calabrese Jr. On the tapes, the father describes a mob ceremony that includes holding burning holy pictures in cupped hands.

Jurors will be asked to decide the fate of Calabrese Sr. and four other defendants after weeks of testimony about the inner workings of the Chicago mob.

Federal prosecutors called the defendants four cold-blooded killers, and a former Chicago police officer corrupt.

The evidence hinges on the mob secrets detailed on the witness stand by Nick Calabrese, a hit man who turned against his abusive mobster brother.

As CBS 2's John "Bulldog" Drummond reports, in closing arguments lawyers said defendant Joey "The Clown" Lombardo oversaw the extortion of adult bookstores, massage parlors and was involved in the cold-blooded murder of Daniel Seifert, who was slain in his Bensenville factory.

Jimmy "The Little Guy" Marcello was allegedly a made member of The Chicago Outfit, paid hush money for illegal activities and was involved in three murders, including the slayings of Tony and Michael Spilotro.

Prosecutors said he "drove them to their deaths." The Spilotros were beaten and buried in an Indiana cornfield.

Defendant Frank "The Breeze" Calabrese Sr. was allegedly involved in extortion, gambling and bombings and was personally involved in 13 murders. Prosecutors said a rope and a knife were his tools of the trade.

Defendant Paul Schiro, prosecutors said, was the mob's man in Phoenix, was a burglar and was responsible for the murder of his friend Emil Vaci.

Defendant Anthony "Twan" Doyle was a mob juice loan collector, according to prosecutors. They said he was a corrupt police officer who leaked information to The Outfit and was a messenger between mobsters.

The government's case revolves around the testimony of Nick Calabrese.

A prosecutor defended the character of some of the unsavory witnesses. "Swans don't swim in the sewer. If you want to find out about the Mob, you have to go to a mobster."

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.