More mob trial deliberations to come

After a one-week break, federal court jury is due to resume deliberations today in Chicago's biggest mob trial in years, but the judge is warning that there may be a long wait for its decision.

The jury has already found the five defendants guilty of racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling, extortion of so-called street tax similar to protection money, loan sharking and 18 long unsolved murders.

The jurors now are deciding which if any of the defendants are individually responsible for specific murders listed in the indictment, including that of Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, the mob's longtime man in Las Vegas and the model for the Joe Pesci character in the movie "Casino."

"There is nothing that indicates to me that they are anywhere near a verdict nor that there is any form of disagreement," U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel told lawyers at a hearing Wednesday night.

Witnesses at the 10-week trial told how those who defied Chicago's organized crime family, known as the Outfit, were beaten, strangled and shot to make certain that they would not divulge its secrets to the FBI.

Any defendants found individually responsible for specific murders will face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Zagel gave the jurors a one-week break last week, directing them to come back and resume their work today.

Those on trial are: James Marcello, 65; Frank Calabrese, 70; Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo, 78; Paul Schiro, 70, and Anthony Doyle, 62.

Doyle is the only defendant not accused of direct involvement in murder and therefore does not face the possibility of life in prison.

Zagel told lawyers the complex nature of the work the jury now faces may mean long deliberations.

"I would not be surprised if these deliberations take longer than the deliberations on the charges," Zagel said.

At least one lawyer grumbled publicly last week that he was caught by surprise by the break in deliberations. But when the attorneys met with Zagel late Wednesday he did not complain.

The lawyers met with the judge in his chambers later but left the courthouse without commenting on what transpired.