Judge Gives Own Tie to 'Gorgeous' Defendant in Mob Murder Case to Correct Wardrobe Malfunction
Despite an unusual court order last month intended to prevent such a wardrobe malfunction, a reputed former mob boss with a reputation as a fashion plate wound up without a tie to wear to jury selection today for his murder trial.
So U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis gave his own tie to defendant Vincent “Vinny Gorgeous” Basciano to remedy this emergency situation, reports the New York Post.
Basciano, who once owned a Bronx beauty shop known as Hello Gorgeous, is accused of murdering a mob associate, the newspaper notes. His trial in Brooklyn federal court is scheduled to start in April. Meanwhile, he is already in prison, serving a life sentence in an earlier case.
Ironically, as Garaufis seemingly is going out of his way to accommodate the defendant, not only by providing his own tie but by ordering federal authorities last month to accept five full changes of courtroom dress for Basciano to prevent any attire issues, the jurist has been repeatedly accused of unfairness.
At one point last month, Basciano shouted at the judge, in court, “My paranoia is legitimate! This has been a kangaroo court all along with you!” reports another New York Post article.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com (May 2008): “Judge Can’t Be Fair, Lawyer Says; He’s on Client’s Claimed Hit List”
