Former top Bonanno gangster Salvatore (Good Looking Sal) Vitale, who admitted to 11 gangland murders, was sprung from prison Friday as a reward for helping the feds jail 51 mobsters.
Vitale expressed deep remorse for his life of crime and wept as Judge Nicholas Garaufis pronounced him a free man - to the extent someone in witness protection can truly be free.
"He will live the balance of his life as a notorious and endangered prisoner in a cell of his own creation, targeted by the very criminal organization of which he was once a leader," Garaufis said.
Dozens of FBI agents and prosecutors packed the courtroom in Brooklyn Federal Court for the sentencing of the most important mob turncoat since ex-Gambino underboss Salvatore (Sammy Bull) Gravano ratted out the late John Gotti two decades ago.
Vitale helped the government convict 51 gangsters - including his brother-in-law, former Bonanno boss Joseph Massino - and provided invaluable intelligence about the Mafia.
Vitale, 63, looked fit and trim in a dark blue suit, his gray hair meticulously groomed.
Defense lawyer Brian Waller said he's taken anger management classes, worked in the prison factory and served as an altar boy for the facility's priest. He regularly attends confession, according to court papers.
Reading from a statement, Vitale said he had disgraced his family name and apologized to his victims' relatives.
"I pray daily for every soul," he said. "I have committed some really horrible crimes, which I will always be ashamed of. I am truly, truly sorry."
The daughter of slain Bonanno associate Robert Perrino urged the judge to show no mercy.
"Not until he [Vitale] was arrested and possibly facing life in prison did he show any sense of remorse," Nicki Laronga wrote in a letter.
Prosecutors Greg Andres and John Buretta said the mob has been significantly weakened because of Vitale's cooperation.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/the_mob/2010/10/30/2010-10-30_killer_mob_rat_sprung_from_cage.html#ixzz13pSgO8xG
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