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Dead men walking: Murder Inc. trio electrocuted at Sing Sing prison eighty years ago

March 4, 2024

Eighty years ago, Sing Sing’s electric chair, “Old Sparky,” delivered its sinister, life-ending jolts in succession to the trio of Louis Capone, Emanuel “Mendy” Weiss and Louis “Lepke” Buchalter. The executions on March 4, 1944, marked the climactic close to a particularly bizarre chapter in the Mob’s history. The sensational trials and revelations of the Mob’s violent enforcement arm, better known as Murder Inc., were brought to an electrifying end. Many defendants were tried across several counties beginning in 1940. Some turned state’s witness, others received lengthy prison terms and seven were put to death. Harry “Pittsburgh Phil” Strauss and Martin “Buggsy” ...

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Netflix crime drama ‘Griselda’ highlights story of ‘Godmother of Cocaine’

The Netflix limited series Griselda, inspired by the true story of the Colombian “Godmother of Cocaine,” tells the story of…

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The Top 5 Mob myths: Hollywood’s creative license drives misinformation

From The Godfather to Griselda, the Mob is firmly embedded in pop culture, which comes with a few drawbacks. In…

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The 1863 draft riots and the birth of the New York City Police

On July 13, 1863, during the Civil War, New York City burst into flames when the federal government started a…

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Artifact Spotlight: Frank Calabrese Sr.’s handmade dictionary

“PRISON: IS WARE I AM AT,” reads an entry in the handmade dictionary of Frank Calabrese Sr., former boss of…

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Classic Mob drama ‘The Sopranos’ first aired 25 years ago

When the groundbreaking HBO series The Sopranos debuted in 1999, it was an instant hit and a critical success. It…

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They don’t just kill each other

Innocent victims of Mob violence are one of the most underreported aspects of organized crime. This is due in part…

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The Buffalo Mafia’s ill-advised art thefts

“Art Collection Is Looted; Loss Put at $1.3 million,” read a headline in the August 22, 1968, edition of the…

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