What’s in a Name? Prejudice, Mob Figures Say

Prosecutors in the trial of nine reputed mobsters sought Tuesday to rebuff a defense request that aliases be dropped from court files, saying use of nicknames such as “Skyball,” “The Snake” and “Frankie the Beast” is vital to their case.

“There is no possibility that nicknames such as ‘Skyball,’ ‘Baba,’ ‘Soggy’ and ‘Donny’ will have any prejudicial effect on the jury,” Special U.S. Atty. John Voorhees said in a brief filed in federal court.

Defense attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Frank H. Freedman to strike the monikers from the indictment, maintaining the “aliases are immaterial and irrelevant” to the case and “such language is prejudicial to the defendants.”

Freedman has yet to rule on the request. But prosecutors, citing precedents in federal prosecution of Carmine (The Snake) Persico and Francis (Frankie the Beast) Falanga, maintained in their brief that the men are referred to by the nicknames in wiretaps and other evidence.

“Retaining the nicknames will obviate jury confusion, particularly in the case of Francesco Scibelli, who is referred to by seven different nicknames: ‘Skyball,’ ‘Skiball,’ ‘Sky,’ ‘Ski,’ ‘Skyballs,’ ‘Frank’ and ‘Frankie,’ ” said Voorhees, of the New England Organized Crime Strike Force.

Scibelli, 72, of Springfield is described in the indictment as a capo, or lieutenant, in the “Genovese La Cosa Nostra Family” and the “boss” of the Springfield operation. Anthony (Fat Tony) Salerno, described as the head of the New York-based Genovese crime family, is named as an unindicted co-conspirator.

Other defendants include Scibelli’s brothers, Anthony C. (Turk) Scibelli, 71, and Albert A. (Baba) Scibelli, 65, both of Springfield, Adolpho M. (Big Al) Bruno, 40, of Agawam; Donald J. (Donny) Pepe, of West Springfield and Ricardo S. (Soggy) Songini of Springfield, also known as “Rick,” “Ricky” and “Jackie Bertelli.”

Also indicted were John F. Pradella, 39, of Hampden, and Mario Fiore, 60, and Felix L. Tranghese, 34, both of Springfield.

The defendants are accused of running organized crime in western Massachusetts.