It was hardly shocking.
Just like three times before, a federal judge in Manhattan on Tuesday declared a mistrial in John “Junior” Gotti’s fourth racketeering trial.
The judge declared the mistrial after the jury remained deadlocked following 11 days of deliberations.
Turns out Gotti junior, the second generation mob boss, is even luckier than his pop, who was nicknamed “Teflon Don” because he was acquitted in three trials. But the father, unlike the son, was convicted in the fourth trial and went off to prison for life. He died behind bars in 2002 at age 61
Tueday’s declaration by U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel left Gotti and his family elated, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office scratching its head, wondering whether to take one more shot at trying to convict Gotti.
During trial, prosecutors accused Gotti, 45, of being a big-time mobster who was involved in two murders and drug trafficking.
“The inability of the jury to reach a verdict does not diminish the work of the many agents, prosecutors, and staff who showed unyielding dedication and resolve in the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in a statement.
“We are evaluating how to proceed and , in the near future, will inform the Court and the defense of our decision,” he said.
After hearing the judge’s announcement, “Gotti inhaled deeply, his face flushed, and his family applauded” according to the New York Daily News. Gotti, who had been jailed since August of 2008, went free on Tuesday.
Afterwards, Gotti’s sister Victoria Gotti voiced her opinion about the prospect of a fifth trial.
“Damn it, let it go,” she said according to the N.Y. Daily News. “It’s the same thing over and over and over again. We’re no organized crime family. We’re just a family.”
Gotti’s defense this time, just as it was in the previous three trials, was that he had quit the mob long ago and was not involved in the various crimes. The prosecution had called those assertions nonsense.
