Court to Hear From Reputed Mobsters' Attorneys
Circuit Court of Appeals will listen to arguments on requests for a new trial
Monday, Feb 13, 2012 | Updated 9:32 AM CDT
Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo
An appellate court in Chicago will hear from attorneys for reputed mobsters convicted in 2007's Family Secrets trial.
The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals will listen to arguments Monday on their requests for a new trial.
A jury convicted the men, including reputed mob boss James Marcello and Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo, of racketeering conspiracy that included 18 murders.
Those convictions are credited with helping to weaken Chicago's mob.
But their attorneys say their clients didn't get a fair trial. In one court filing, Marcello's lawyer argued that by ordering the jury to remain anonymous the judge created prejudice in jurors' minds.
Defense lawyers have complained in this and other cases that keeping names secret signals to jurors that the suspects on trial are dangerous and probably guilty.
