Jurors seek tapes in mob trial deliberations

Jurors in the racketeering trial of reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph Ligambi and six others opened a second day of deliberations by asking to review some of the hundreds of tape recordings played at the trial.

The panel of seven men and five women gave no clue Wednesday to their progress, but their requests were specific. They asked to review two exhibits, hear four recordings, and get transcripts of all the other tapes played during the 10-week trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Labor said the government had no objection to giving jurors transcripts. Ligambi's lawyer, Edwin Jacobs, objected, arguing that transcripts are merely aids but that the tapes themselves are the evidence. If the jury wants, it can hear those tapes again in court, Jacobs noted.

U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno agreed. He directed the lawyers to prepare a list of all the tapes from trial. That might help jurors identify which they want replayed.

Jurors also asked for the trial testimony of Curt Arbitman, a former video poker vendor. Arbitman, who has pleaded guilty to racketeering, testified over two days for the government in late November about his dealings with some of the defendants.

Robreno had not yet ruled on that request, saying it might be moot after jurors get the list of tapes.

The trial began in mid-October and followed a decade-long FBI investigation that included as many as 15,000 secret recordings made by informants and cooperation from mob turncoats.

Ligambi, 73, is accused of leading a wide-ranging criminal enterprise that included illegal bookmaking, loan-sharking, extortion and other crimes. His codefendants include his nephew and alleged consigliere, George Borgesi; reputed underboss Joseph Massimino; reputed captains Anthony Staino, Joseph Licata; alleged soldier Damion Canalichio and an associate, Gary Battaglini.

Defense lawyers say the charges are flimsy accusations based on claims by admitted criminals and turncoats trying to save themselves. They also have noted that the case includes none of the allegations of brutal violence that have been hallmarks of past mob prosecutions.