Editing Murder, Inc. (section)

=== Harry Maione and Frank Abbandando ===

[[Harry Maione]] and [[Frank Abbandando]] were the first members of the Brooklyn "Combination" to be put on trial for murder. In May 1940, the trial started for the May 25, 1937 ice-pick murder of George "Whitey" Rudnick in a Brooklyn parking garage.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/03/30/archives/another-murder-laid-to-3-in-ring-brooklyn-gangsters-indicted-as.html Another Murder Laid to 3 in Ring; Brooklyn Gangsters Indicted as Killers of Stool Pigeon in Garage in 1937; Police Guard O'Dwyer; Meanwhile, Jury in Bronx Is Due to Return True Bill in Penn Slaying], ''The New York Times'', March 30, 1940 p. 15.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70E1FFF3E54117A93C2AA1788D85F448485F9 |title=ANOTHER MURDER LAID TO 3 IN RING; Brooklyn Gangsters Indicted as Killers of Stool Pigeon in Garage in 1937 POLICE GUARD O'DWYER Meanwhile, Jury in Bronx is Due to Return True Bill in Penn Slaying |access-date=May 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174531/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70E1FFF3E54117A93C2AA1788D85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-03-30 }}</ref><ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B10F63B54117A93CAA9178ED85F448485F9 Murder Ring Trial Due to Start Today; Jury to Be Picked From Special Blue-Ribbon Panel of 150], ''The New York Times'', May 8, 1940 p. 20.{{subscription required}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174538/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B10F63B54117A93CAA9178ED85F448485F9 |date=November 6, 2012 }}</ref><ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0C10FB3A54107A93C6A8178ED85F448485F9 Murder Ring Trial Gets Death Proof; State Witnesses Establish the Corpus Delicti and Tell of 63 Wounds on Body Ex-Deputy Sheriff Held; Accused of Allowing Thug to Threaten Prisoner – Machine Used to Dig for Bodies], ''The New York Times'', May 14, 1940, p. 18.{{subscription required}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174544/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0C10FB3A54107A93C6A8178ED85F448485F9 |date=November 6, 2012 }}</ref> [[Harry Strauss]] was also indicted for the murder, and, after initially agreeing to cooperate with the District Attorney's office, he was severed from the trial.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/09/archives/strauss-to-bare-murders-of-ring-cruelest-killer-of-the-gang-agrees.html Strauss to Bare Murders of Ring; 'Cruelest Killer' of the Gang Agrees to Talk – Gets Severance of Trial], ''The New York Times'', May 9, 1940 p. 1.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20616FF3A54117A93CBA9178ED85F448485F9 |title=STRAUSS TO BARE MURDERS OF RING; 'Cruelest Killer' of the Gang Agrees to Talk--Gets Severance of Trial |access-date=May 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174551/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20616FF3A54117A93CBA9178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-05-09 |last1=World |first1=Times Wide }}</ref> On May 15, 1940, Abe Reles testified that Rudnick was marked for death after Strauss claimed he had obtained information that Rudnick was a "stool pigeon for the police." Reles also testified that he waited outside the garage while Maione, Abbandando and Strauss were inside with Rudnick. After Rudnick was believed to have been murdered, Abbandando called for Reles and summoned Angelo "Julie" Catalano to the garage to assist with moving the body. Since Rudnick was still alive, Strauss resumed his assault with an [[ice pick]], and Maione used a meat cleaver to complete the murder.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/16/archives/reles-confesses-to-six-murders-crime-ring-informer-gives-4hour.html Reles Confesses to Six Murders; Crime Ring Informer Gives 4-Hour Story of Killings to Brooklyn Jury; Court Room Is Stunned; Calm Recital of Strangling, Shooting and Stabbing Amazes Hearers], ''The New York Times'', May 16, 1940 p. 23.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70C16F93A54107A93C4A8178ED85F448485F9 |title=RELES CONFESSES TO SIX MURDERS; Crime Ring Informer Gives 4-Hour Story of Killings to Brooklyn Jury COURT ROOM IS STUNNED Calm Recital of Strangling, Shooting and Stabbing Amazes Hearers |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 May 1940 |access-date=May 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174558/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70C16F93A54107A93C4A8178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The next day, Catalano, who drove the automobile with Rudnick's body, corroborated Reles' account of the murder.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/17/archives/witness-upholds-reles-testimony-catalano-testifies-against-two.html Witness Upholds Reles Testimony; Catalano Testifies Against Two Accused in Killing of Rudnick, Gang Informer Names Them as Slayers; Gives Graphic Description of Ice Pick Attack in Garage and Disposition of Body], ''The New York Times'', May 17, 1940 p. 17.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6091EFB3A54117A93C5A8178ED85F448485F9 |title=WITNESS UPHOLDS RELES TESTIMONY; Catalano Testifies Against Two Accused in Killing of Rudnick, Gang Informer NAMES THEM AS SLAYERS Gives Graphic Description of Ice Pick Attack in Garage and Disposition of Body |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 May 1940 |access-date=May 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174607/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F6091EFB3A54117A93C5A8178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> "Dukey" Maffetore and Abe "Pretty" Levine testified that they stole the automobile that was used to dispose of the body.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/15/archives/informers-link-2-to-garage-murder-maffetore-and-levene-say-they.html Informers Link 2 to Garage Murder; Maffetore and Levene Say They Stole Car in Which Body Was Found; One Saw Two Killings; Detectives Guard Courtroom to Prevent Vengeance by Brooklyn Gangland], ''The New York Times'', May 15, 1940 p. 20.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0614F83A54107A93C7A8178ED85F448485F9 |title=INFORMERS LINK 2 TO GARAGE MURDER; Maffetore and Levene Say They Stole Car in Which Body Was Found ONE SAW TWO KILLINGS Detectives Guard Courtroom to Prevent Vengeance by Brooklyn Gangland |access-date=May 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174618/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0614F83A54107A93C7A8178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-05-15 }}</ref> Maione and 14 witnesses testified that he was at his grandmother's wake when Rudnick was murdered.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/21/archives/maione-gives-alibi-in-rudnick-slaying-14-witnesses-put-the-alleged.html Maione Gives Alibi in Rudnick Slaying; 14 Witnesses Put the Alleged Murder Ring Leader at His Grandmother's Wake; He Is Calm on the Stand; Firmly and Politely Denies All Charges – Contradicts Reles and Others], ''The New York Times'', May 21, 1940 p. 29.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20916FE3554117A93C3AB178ED85F448485F9 |title=MAIONE GIVES ALIBI IN RUDNICK SLAYING; 14 Witnesses Put the Alleged Murder Ring Leader at His Grandmother's Wake HE IS CALM ON THE STAND Firmly and Politely Denies All Charges--Contradicts Reles and Others |access-date=May 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174633/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20916FE3554117A93C3AB178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-05-21 }}</ref> The funeral home undertaker and embalmer testified that Maione was not at the wake.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/22/archives/undertaker-hits-murder-ring-alibi-he-and-embalmer-say-they-did-not.html Undertaker Hits Murder Ring Alibi; He and Embalmer Say They Did Not See Maione at His Grandmother's Wake; 'Dasher' Also on Stand; Like Co-Defendant, He Says He Had No Part in Slaying – Both Sides Rest], ''The New York Times'', May 22, 1940 p. 21.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30911FF3554117A93C0AB178ED85F448485F9 |title=UNDERTAKER HITS MURDER RING ALIBI; He and Embalmer Say They Did Not See Maione at His Grandmother's Wake 'DASHER' ALSO ON STAND Like Co-Defendant, He Says He Had No Part in Slaying --Both Sides Rest |access-date=May 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174639/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30911FF3554117A93C0AB178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-05-22 }}</ref> Also, one of Maione's chief witnesses admitted that he committed perjury as ordered by Maione's brother, whom he feared.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/23/archives/maione-witness-admits-perjury-asserts-he-lied-when-he-said-he-saw.html Maione Witness Admits Perjury; Asserts He Lied When He Said He Saw the Defendant in Murder Ring at Wake; Sharp Blow to Defense; Counsel, Summing Up, Assails Reles – Brooklyn Case Goes to the Jury Today], ''The New York Times'', May 23, 1940 p. 23.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30917FB3554117A93C1AB178ED85F448485F9 |title=MAIONE WITNESS ADMITS PERJURY; Asserts He Lied when He Said He Saw the Defendant in Murder Ring at Wake SHARP BLOW TO DEFENSE Counsel, Summing Up, Assails Reles--Brooklyn Case Goes to the Jury Today |access-date=May 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174650/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30917FB3554117A93C1AB178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-05-23 }}</ref> 

On May 23, 1940, Maione and Abbandando were convicted of first-degree murder, which meant a mandatory sentence of death in the [[electric chair]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/24/archives/two-in-murder-ring-quickly-convicted-maione-and-abbandando-are.html Two in Murder Ring Quickly Convicted; Maione and Abbandando Are Found Guilty by Kings Jury, Must Go to the Chair; Lepke Indicted in 2 Cases; Racketeer Accused in O'Dwyer Inquiry of Slayings by the Brooklyn 'Syndicate'], ''The New York Times'', May 24, 1940 p. 21.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0071FFE3558127A93C6AB178ED85F448485F9 |title=TWO IN MURDER RING QUICKLY CONVICTED; Maione and Abbandando Are Found Guilty by Kings Jury, Must Go to the Chair LEPKE INDICTED IN 2 CASES Racketeer Accused in O'Dwyer Inquiry of Slayings by the Brooklyn 'Syndicate' |access-date=May 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174656/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0071FFE3558127A93C6AB178ED85F448485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1940-05-24 }}</ref> New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals, overturned the conviction on a 4–3 vote in December 1940.<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0D15FA3E5F167B93C3A9178AD85F458485F9 2 in Murder Ring to Get New Trial; Court of Appeals Reverses the Lower Tribunal in Maione and Abbandando Case; Finds Judge Made Error; Four-to-Three Decision Holds He Accepted Undisputed Testimony From Reles], ''The New York Times'', January 1, 1941, p. 46.{{subscription required}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174702/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0D15FA3E5F167B93C3A9178AD85F458485F9 |date=November 6, 2012 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/01/14/archives/five-back-from-sing-sing-maione-and-others-convicted-as-slayers-to.html Five Back from Sing Sing; Maione and Others Convicted as Slayers to Get New Trials] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174710/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20B16F73B5F167B93C6A8178AD85F458485F9 |date=2012-11-06 }}, ''The New York Times'', January 14, 1941, p. 42.{{subscription required}}</ref> The second trial started on March 10, 1941.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/03/11/archives/murder-ring-trial-begins-maione-and-abbandano-again-face-jury-in.html Murder Ring Trial Begins; Maione and Abbandano Again Face Jury in Killing], ''The New York Times'', March 11, 1941 p. 25.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C15FB385F167B93C3A81788D85F458485F9 |title=MURDER RING TRIAL BEGINS; Maione and Abbandano Again Face Jury in Killing |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174717/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C15FB385F167B93C3A81788D85F458485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1941-03-11 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/03/15/archives/reles-repeats-tale-of-rudnick-slaying-testifies-against-maione-and.html Reles Repeats Tale of Rudnick Slaying; Testifies Against Maione and Abbandando at New Trial], ''The New York Times'', March 15, 1941 p. 32.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0091EFC3B59167B93C7A81788D85F458485F9 |title=RELES REPEATS TALE OF RUDNICK SLAYING; Testifies Against Maione and Abbandando at New Trial |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174726/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0091EFC3B59167B93C7A81788D85F458485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1941-03-15 }}</ref> At one point during the trial, Maione lost his temper and threw a glass of water at Reles.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/03/20/archives/maione-in-tantrum-at-murder-trial-brooklyn-florist-and-gang-leader.html Maione in Tantrum at Murder Trial; Brooklyn Florist and Gang Leader Hurls Water Glass at Reles on Stand; Screams Oaths in Rage; Courtroom Thrown Into Uproar When Defendant Objects to Ex-Partner's Testimony], ''The New York Times'', March 20, 1941 p. 44.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70F17F63B59167B93C2AB1788D85F458485F9 |title=MAIONE IN TANTRUM AT MURDER TRIAL; Brooklyn Florist and Gang Leader Hurls Water Glass at Reles on Stand SCREAMS OATHS IN RAGE Courtroom Thrown into Uproar when Defendant Objects to Ex-Partner's Testimony |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174738/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70F17F63B59167B93C2AB1788D85F458485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1941-03-20 }}</ref> Maione and Abbandando were convicted of first-degree murder for a second time on April 3, 1941.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/04/04/archives/2-in-murder-trial-are-found-guilty-abbandando-and-malone-are.html 2 in Murder Trial Are Found Guilty; Abbandando and Malone Are Convicted at 2d Trial for Icepick Killing; Jury out for 3 Hours; Both Men Stoical as Verdict Is Returned – Sentence to Death Mandatory], ''The New York Times'', April 4, 1941 p. 44.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D1EFC355F167B93C6A9178FD85F458485F9 |title=2 IN MURDER TRIAL ARE FOUND GUILTY; Abbandando and Malone Are Convicted at 2d Trial for Icepick Killing JURY OUT FOR 3 HOURS Both Men Stoical as Verdict is Returned -- Sentence to Death Mandatory |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174749/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D1EFC355F167B93C6A9178FD85F458485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1941-04-04 }}</ref> Maione and Abbandando were formally sentenced to death for a second time on April 14, 1941.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/04/15/archives/2-of-murder-ring-to-die-court-sets-week-of-may-18-for-maione-and.html 2 of Murder Ring to Die; Court Sets Week of May 18 for Maione and Abbandando], ''The New York Times'', April 15, 1941, p. 25.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40D10FE3559167B93C7A8178FD85F458485F9 |title=2 OF MURDER RING TO DIE; Court Sets Week of May 18 for Maione and Abbandando |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174755/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40D10FE3559167B93C7A8178FD85F458485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1941-04-15 }}</ref> The Court of Appeals upheld the second conviction on January 8, 1942.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1942/01/09/archives/high-state-court-dooms-3-convictions-of-maione-abbandando-and-cvek.html High State Court Dooms 3; Convictions of Maione, Abbandando and Cvek Are Affirmed], ''The New York Times'', January 9, 1942, p. 23.{{subscription required}} {{Cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D10F9345C167B93CBA9178AD85F468485F9 |title=HIGH STATE COURT DOOMS 3; Convictions of Maione, Abbandando and Cvek Are Affirmed |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174800/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D10F9345C167B93CBA9178AD85F468485F9 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1942-01-09 }}</ref> Maione and Abbandando were executed at Sing Sing prison on February 19, 1942.<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0C12FC3F5D167B93C2AB1789D85F468485F9 2 in Murder Ring Are Put to Death; Maione and Abbandando Bring to Four the Number to Die for Syndicate Slayings 3; Others Face Same Fate; Executions Carried Out on Standard Time as Prison Has Not Changed Clocks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174810/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0C12FC3F5D167B93C2AB1789D85F468485F9 |date=2012-11-06 }}, ''The New York Times'', February 20, 1942, p. 36.{{subscription required}}</ref>