Reputed mobster freed from jail because of cancer

Barrel-chested Charles "Chucky" Russell struck an imposing figure when the reputed member of the Outfit's Grand Avenue crew appeared in federal court just over a year ago on gun charges.

But the fearsome 68-year-old convicted killer is now suffering from terminal prostate cancer and is wasting away, his lawyer told a federal judge last month. On Dec. 12, Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan released Russell on $4,500 bond. His lawyer told the court that he'd live in a condo owned by his girlfriend, Patricia Spilotro.

Sources say she's a relative of Anthony and Michael Spilotro, the legendary Outfit members whose double murder in 1986 was featured in the film, "Casino."

Der-Yeghiayan placed Russell on home detention with electronic monitoring.

Russell was under the 24-hour watch of the U.S. Marshals Service at a Chicago-area hospital before he was released on bond. His cancer has spread to his skeletal system and skull. He can barely walk and he lost weight because he can't eat solid food, his lawyer told the court.

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