‘Goodfellas’ Murder Scenes Cannot be Introduced During Mobster Trial
Prosecutors will be forbidden from introducing grizzly murder scenes from the film “Goodfellas” during the upcoming October 19 trial of Lufthansa heist mobster Vincent Asaro. The Bonanno crime figure is only facing one murder rap that is unrelated to the heist.
The New York Post noted that Judge Allyne Ross reasoned the mob hits — carried out to silence potential snitches in the wake of the spectacular 1978 JFK robbery — were too prejudicial to the defedant.
Asaro is accused of murdering Tommy DeSimone, portrayed as Tommy DeVito by Joe Pesci in the film.
Lawyers for the increasingly frail oldfella Asaro had lobbied to have the sensational murders barred because of their visceral impact on jurors.
Prosecutors countered that the murders provided vital context for the testimony of Gaspare Valenti, Asaro’s cousin.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com