Mafia ‘Boss’ on Trial in Killing of Prosecutor
The prosecution plans to call 50 mob informers to press the state’s case against Mafia bosses accused in the 1992 killing of top prosecutor Giovanni Falcone.
Twelve of the 41 defendants, including Salvatore (Toto) Riina, the Mafia’s reputed “boss of bosses,” appeared in court Tuesday when their trial resumed after a 10-week break.
Riina was brought by helicopter from a prison in Palermo to the heavily guarded courtroom inside Caltanissetta prison.
Riina, arrested two years ago after 24 years in hiding, and other Mafia kingpins are accused of masterminding Falcone’s murder. Riina has already been given nine life sentences in other mob-related trials.
Falcone, a symbol of Italy’s efforts to crack down on the crime syndicate, was killed by a bomb planted on a Sicilian highway May 23, 1992. His wife and three bodyguards also died.
Prosecutors say they may call as many as 700 witnesses, 50 of them Mafiosi who have turned state’s evidence.
The trial opened Feb. 21 but was adjourned until Tuesday for procedural questions.
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