BOSTON — Two mobsters who murdered a number of people together over decades faced off in federal court Wednesday.
Star witness Steven “The Rifelman” Flemmi took the stand Wednesday in the trial of “Cadillac” Frank Salemme, but it was a strange appearance.
Together the two extorted bookies, laundered money and murdered men during their time together, but when Flemmi stepped onto the stand Wednesday -- he didn’t recognize his old partner.
Flemmi, now 83, walks in wearing glasses with thick lenses. Stands at the witness seat and smiles slightly in Frank Salemme’s direction @boston25
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) June 6, 2018
Flemmi is describing his history of criminal activity with the Winter Hill gang (and of course Whitey Bulger), outlining extortion of bookies, drug dealers and money laundering @boston25
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) June 6, 2018
When prosecutors asked Flemmi to point out Salemme for the jury, Flemmi looked around the courtroom and then said, “I would recognize him, if I see him. I don’t see him.”
It was a shocking moment, especially as Flemmi then described his long relationship with Salemme. He outlined at least five murders the two men committed together in the 1960s.
Salemme is currently on trial for the 1993 killing of Steven Disarro, a businessman who ran the Channel Nightclub in South Boston.
Flemmi is expected to testify that he walked in just as Salemme’s son and Salemme’s co-defendant Paul Weadick were strangling Disarro.
A shocking moment: prosecutor asks Flemmi to identify Salemme in the courtroom. Flemmi stands up, looks around blinking, and says “I don’t see him” @boston25
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) June 6, 2018
Of the 1967 murder of Wimpy Bennett:
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) June 6, 2018
“Frank told me he wanted to get Wimpy killed - I’m the one who actually shot him. Put him in the back of the car, Frank and I, and drive to a garage in Dorchester”
After court, Salemme’s attorney said faulty reading glasses may have been to blame for Flemmi’s behavior.
“Flemmi’s looking to get out and this as his last hurrah,” attorney Steve Boozang said. “Don’t let anybody fool you, he’s sly as a fox and he didn’t lose too much off his fastball, Flemmi.
Salemme himself had something to say about his ex-partner’s failure to identify him.
As the court adjourned, Salemme stood smiling and said, "he's gone soft."
As court adjourned, Salemme stood smiling, and of Flemmi’s failure to recognize him, he said “he’s gone soft.” @boston25
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) June 6, 2018
Salemme then hooked a finger into one side of his mouth and drew it down, as if to indicate Flemmi had suffered a medical issue @boston25
— Kathryn Burcham (@kathrynburcham) June 6, 2018
MORE: FBI testifies mob victim was not an informant
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/JPZ4AOZLSVFI3KOSUDPPELFFQY.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/5UUGY7MW5VBHBPSSXDYWAP323A.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/A6ITVQI6VZF5TIX3ERJ63S3JBY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/2DRBVTNXJBF3HDQ4ASNMVGSIQQ.jpg)