Mercy Killing’ Of Talkative Gang Chief

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30259, 11 October 1963, Page 15

Mercy Killing’ Of Talkative Gang Chief

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, October 10 The informer, Joseph Valachi, testified yesterday that the rulers of the Cosa Nostra ordered a “mercy killing” of another crime chief, Willie Moretti, because be was mentally ill and becoming talkative. United Press International reported. The husky-voiced former member of the Cosa Nostra crime syndicate continued his evidence before the Senate investigations sub-committee His account of Moretti’s last days was borne out by another witness, the New Jersey Assistant Attorney-General. John J Bergin Bergin said he knew

Moretti was “becoming extremely careless" and even granted interviews to reporters about his activities before he was slain.

“It was supposed to be a mercy killing because he was sick.” Valachi said. The syndicate basses talked about Moretti having a syphilitic condition and they feared he might become insane. Valachi said the leaders of the underworld, including those that had decided on the “mercy killing” all attended Moretti's flowerfestooned funeral as a gesture to their dead colleague. “Rub-Out Contract”

Valachi alfo said he was the brains behind the 1952 slaying of a suspected informer for the Federal Narcotics Bureau, Eugene Gianinnd, the Associated Press reported. Valachi had the “contract” from the Oea Nostra chief, Vito Genovese, for the killing, bu. Gianinni was shot to death on a New York street by two other hoodlums Before the “rub-out,” Valachi said. Gtaninni said to him: “I've got a creepy feeling . I'm going to be killed ” Valachi said. “I said why don't you go out and have a.good time. I handed him 40 dollars.” No Reply To Invitation (NJt. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, October 10 No indication had been received from the Soviet Union that it was readv to co-oper-ate with the United States in a joint expedition to the moon. President Kennedy said today. The required close co-oper-ation among scientists of the two nations would not be possible until “barriers of suspicion” were lowered, he said.