Organized Crime Pennsylvania

Tough, head shaven and defiantly mute about his career as an arsonist and drug dealer, Ralph Natale emerged from 16 years in prison with the perfect, old-school pedigree to return the Philadelphia mob to its days of criminal glory. Released on parole in 1994, the new boss lectured his young capos and street soldiers as he ordered them to kill. He wanted to instill an army's iron discipline.

In another blow to Philadelphia's already crippled Mafia family, former boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino was sentenced to 14 years in prison Monday for racketeering. Merlino's lawyer said that with good behavior and time already served, his client could be out in about nine years. "Ain't bad," Merlino, 39, told family members sitting in the gallery. "Nine's better than the death penalty."

Reputed mob boss Nicodemo (Little Nicky) Scarfo and four associates were acquitted Saturday by a federal jury of charges that they had conspired to take over a multimillion-dollar drug ring. People in the courtroom burst into applause as the jury foreman read a verdict of "not guilty" on each of five counts against Scarfo, the alleged leader of the mob in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, N.J. The four men and eight women jurors deliberated seven hours in two days before announcing the verdict.

Tough, head shaven and defiantly mute about his career as an arsonist and drug dealer, Ralph Natale emerged from 16 years in prison with the perfect, old-school pedigree to return the Philadelphia mob to its days of criminal glory. Released on parole in 1994, the new boss lectured his young capos and street soldiers as he ordered them to kill. He wanted to instill an army's iron discipline.

The head of the Philadelphia mob was convicted Tuesday of murdering his rivals and running extortion schemes and rackets in his day-to-day business. John Stanfa, 54, stared straight ahead as the forewoman pronounced his guilt on all 10 counts, including murder, attempted murder, kidnaping, illegal gambling operations and other charges.

In another blow to Philadelphia's already crippled Mafia family, former boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino was sentenced to 14 years in prison Monday for racketeering. Merlino's lawyer said that with good behavior and time already served, his client could be out in about nine years. "Ain't bad," Merlino, 39, told family members sitting in the gallery. "Nine's better than the death penalty."

The head of the Philadelphia mob was convicted Tuesday of murdering his rivals and running extortion schemes and rackets in his day-to-day business. John Stanfa, 54, stared straight ahead as the forewoman pronounced his guilt on all 10 counts, including murder, attempted murder, kidnaping, illegal gambling operations and other charges.

Reputed mob boss Nicodemo (Little Nicky) Scarfo and four associates were acquitted Saturday by a federal jury of charges that they had conspired to take over a multimillion-dollar drug ring. People in the courtroom burst into applause as the jury foreman read a verdict of "not guilty" on each of five counts against Scarfo, the alleged leader of the mob in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, N.J. The four men and eight women jurors deliberated seven hours in two days before announcing the verdict.