Sonny Spica. A hit was coming down. The underworld waited and watched to see who would kill him first. The jazz legend is a source of inspiration for Ash,. That's what the word on the street was. The former church choirboy who studied the Bible and "wanted to be like Jesus," and a friend burglarized several houses across the street from his own. What could I say?" Art said he would think about it, but he had no intention of doing it. She ran to her father and stood between his limp body and Stoneking. He's gotta go. It was too close to home. "I don't wanna ever see him again." When Berne died in 1996, he was a paid security consultant for Pipefitters Local 562, which Stoneking had also fingered as being connected to the Chicago Outfit. He headed a renegade splinter group of cutthroat gangsters, including his brother, Anthony, assistant business manager of Local 110, and a cousin, David, who was not known for his intelligence. A black-haired girl, not more than three years old, dressed in raggedy pajamas, stood in the doorway. But that would be no less difficult than the last four years. He is awaiting sentencing before Judge Catherine D. Perry in August. She was an avid practitioner of astrology and she had prepared a chart for him. Paroled in the spring of 1989, he died a broken man a few years later. Stoneking had few emotions, except perhaps exhilaration, about what he was going to do. The law had no more interest in him. Trupiano did not escape unscathed; it was Stoneking who helped bring him down. Hal Goldsmith, the prosecutor in the Stenger case, previously served as an Assistant U.S. attorney in East St. Louis in the 1990s, which was Bernes territory. Webbe, a former city alderman, was convicted of voter fraud and obstruction of justice in 1985. Kickbacks were common on property purchased by the unions at inflated prices. He needed to know as much as he could about the victim and he was meticulous in planning details, the mark of a professional. The passenger door was blown 30 yards and pieces of debris were hurled 75 to 100 yards. He is awaiting sentencing before Judge Catherine D. Perry in August. Other convicts quickly put him in Iine. By then, the real Jesse Stoneking of the past two years was becoming unmasked. He needed it, for he supported two families with three children each. And you and Jesse are gonna get caught in the middle. The victim, John J. Myszak, a real estate agent, was shot and killed in front of his home. By the second week of October 1984, it was time to leave it all behind. Last year, in a letter to an historical researcher, Beck wrote that Stoneking was a pathological liar, who framed several guys to drum up some business for the FBI. Beck referred to Stoneking as a real slimeball, and claimed that he had witnessed him beat his wife. Clipping found in St. Louis Post-Dispatch in St. Louis, Missouri on Oct 8, 1996. He was a stone killer, a man to be feared. I figured the guy deserved it." There could be no other justice. As she leveled it at him, Mark Stram, one of his associates, came from behind and disarmed her. He grabbed his .45 automatic from under the seat. Lawrence says he tested Stonekings veracity many times by asking him questions to which he already knew the answer. Five years after skipping town, Stoneking was still making waves. He watched Callanan for several days and decided he could not kill him. I ain't that person anymore." Stoneking, once known in the St. Louis area as the "Stone Killer" and the "Bully of the Mob," took his own life, using his favorite weapon of choice: a pistol. Now, Stoneking knew he was under surveillance. "It was like a parade in front of my house, people driving by and gawking." I just hope he did it on his own because anyone else who was with him will get hit, too. Varsity Art XXVII. The $100,000 contract the St. Louis Outfit had placed on his life was to be expected. Stoneking, an expert jewelry appraiser, estimated the loot at worth well in excess of $1 million. On Wednesday morning, I was told that a mob figure was overheard telling another that they were going to try to find Stoneking through me. Stoneking knew they weren't burglars. A pistol always was in the drawer of the stand beside his bed. "Well, as far as I'm concerned, f--- the rank-and-file." There now was no doubt Stoneking had been a traitor of the worst kind. Eight men were killed in two years. We're both dead ducks.". Stoneking turned in its direction. And he did. But on Nov. 7 Spica regained his composure. And in the end, more than 30 men, including Berne and Trupiano, had gone to prison, some for the rest of their lives. It was during the evening as he drove along a deserted road near Surprise, Ariz., north of Phoenix, when he pulled alongside the road and shot himself in the head. He said a lot of the stuff belonged to the Mafia in Kansas City and they were looking for the guys. The FBI had supplied the jewelry, which had been stolen in another case. St. Louis boasts an arts scene that's second to none. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Nick Civella in Kansas City wanted him dead and so did Ray Flynn, the most violent labor racketeer in St. Louis. From downtown to Forest Park to Grand Center, you'll find compelling collections, enticing exhibitions, inviting studios, vibrant public art, emotive performances and musical acts that will leave an impression. "Can't you see what's happening? Berne had been given control of Pipefitters Union Local 562 by the Chicago Syndicate and he ruled it ruthlessly. Only there wasn't no guy there to take the car. Stoneking's ordeals were far from over; he had yet to complete his servitude to the government. But there came a time when Stoneking could not avoid complicity in a violent crime. The FBI knew about an alleged connection between the Chicago Mafia and Rallo Construction Co. of St. Louis as early as 1991, according to a classified FBI report released under the Freedom of Information Act. On his return, the SUV and the tow truck(identified as a flat-bed type in other police reports) had departed. He was torn between loyalty to a friend and loyalty to his mission. And the threat from Kansas City remained a reality. ", On the night of November 29, 1988, near the impoverished Marlborough neighborhood in south Kansas City, an explosion at a construction site killed six of the citys firefighters. Giordano accused Flynn of the hit, but Berne denied any knowledge. He was no stranger to death. Spica may have unwittingly contributed to his friend's death on June 20, 1980. "Scorpion" had fulfilled all their expectations and more. I noticed that Jesse was still breathing but did not respond to my commands. As a result, public understanding of the under-reported case has been limited by a combination of standard police procedures and the medias failure to provide accurate, independent, follow-up coverage of breaking news. There were no jobs available requiring a hood's skills and talents. That one there is me. When Stram was arrested in a nearby community he told police about his former partner. He found a beautiful stone in a gold setting. Justice on Fire is OConnors detailed account of the terrible explosion that led to the firefighters deaths and the terrible injustice that followed. ", Berne continued to defend Flynn, explaining, "He's just a hot-headed Irishman, that's all." Now, he was vulnerable. Spica was to play a key part and have a position of influence. Stoneking needed to bankroll his new life in the straight world. But when, the feds busted him in 1981, his fortunes, indicted Stoneking for operating a multi-, the fall in the car theft bust and also not, Stoneking decided to roll over. His cut was worth more than $250,000. His entre into the underworld came in 1970 when he was introduced to Berne and Don Ellington, a 300-pound associate of his who became Stoneking's partner. Tony said they were gonna do as he says and that was it. In May, 1978, Civella's men ambushed the Speros. ", What had happened that night now seemed almost prophetic. John G. Rallo, also known as Johnny Roller for his long hours spent at the crap tables in Las Vegas, and fellow accomplice Sheila Sweeney were charged one week after Stenger pleaded guilty. At the time of his suicide, he had already outlived the two most prominent mobsters whom he had betrayed. Prater said that during one visit, Spica confirmed Leisure's suspicion about the Italians' intent. 163. Their goal was to cover all aspects of true crime: Read More, Contents Copyright 1998-2020 by Crime Magazine | J. Patrick O'Connor Editor | E-mail CrimeMagazine.com, Designed by Orman. We moved our daughter and granddaughter to a friend's house. Meramec Contemporary Art Gallery St. Louis Community College at Meramec 11333 Big Bend Boulevard Humanities East Building Kirkwood, MO 63122 314/984-7632 The intended victim was preparing to move out of the area. He apparently severely berated Berne "I was embarrassed, Jesse, " Berne said contritely. ", "Yeah, that's the way you become a man. One day, I was supposed to be working for this guy. His body was mutilated beyond recognition and could be identified only through his driver's license. (Later, he got to know Hickey, who never indicated he was aware of the aborted assassination. Aiuppa was convinced that Trupiano a braggart had leaked the story. He would take the Fifth Amendment, as he knew Berne would. Stoneking moved to a small town in southern Illinois, even closer to the East Side. A short time later, Giordano propositioned Stoneking personally to kill Flynn. He opened a produce stand in south St. Louis where he worked every day during the summer. The realization that discovery of his dual role would mean instant deathwas his constant companion. He was continually reminded of the contempt in which he was held. One of his shoes was a distance away. Her prediction was astonishing. The unrest in the St. Louis underworld had been spurred by the earlier, natural death of Giorando, who had forged a pact with both Michaels and East Side rackets boss Art Berne, who represented the interests of the Chicago outfit. His whereabouts are unknown. Tony Giordano, the respected St. Louis Mafia boss, had befriended Stoneking and there was mutual respect between them. I approached the vehicle on the passenger side as the other Officer (Peck) was on the Drivers side,reported Sprong. Anthony "Nino" Parino, a Giordano lieutenant, was installed as vice-president and essentially ran the union. (Later, Peck was directed, By the time J.C. Vance, the investigating, officers had been relieved of their duties, Vance reported that he received a call at, patrol car was parked directly behind the. Each time he was turned down when Aiuppa deferred to Michaels. After he testified against Berne and other St. Louis area organized crime figures in federal court, the Chicago Mafia allegedly put out a $100,000 contract on his life. Either you take care of him or send him to us'." As he drove off, the agent read the note. Not long after Carolee abandoned him, Stoneking married Dorothy, his mistress for so many years. Carl Spero was killed when a bomb he was carrying accidentally detonated. Jesse Stoneking died on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003. Jesse Stoneking, the unnamed informant cited by the FBI in the report, died of a gunshot wound to the head in Arizona in 2003. Stoneking decided that to refuse Kowalski would be more perilous. The City of East St. Louis, Illinois is located immediately east and across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Louis. The mark was a jewelry wholesaler in rural southwestern Missouri. Let me tell you something about that Flynn. "We'd see him driving around town and would say, 'There goes the Mafia guy,'" said a Wickenburg police officer. It was a challenge that could not go unanswered and Carl Spero escalated the internecine warfare. ohn Paul "Sonny" Spica was walking on the edge. There only was one answer. "You gone crazy?" The source said Leisure probably received many of them through Giordano, who was well connected with other Mafia families. His right hand was on top of the gun. Stoneking spent most of the next two decades running from his past.Despite Stonekings reputation and the FBIs expressed interest in his death,municipal and county officials in Arizona, who had jurisdiction over the case, chose not to expand the inquiry.Their suicide ruling is based primarily on two eyewitness accounts, including one by a Maricopa County deputy. "It never bothered me. The Buick crept closer. But there is little doubt that Jesse Lee McBride and Jesse Eugene Stoneking were one and the same person. He's found renewed confidence and strength in the religious faith he had as a child and in the Bible. Rallo, a co-defendant who was also found guilty in the Stenger case, benefited from contracts funneled through the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership then headed by Sheila Sweeney, an associate of Webbe. He placed loyalty to a friend above subservience to the mob. He liked stylish clothes and expensive, flashy cars. But it was hard time. But his police career ended abruptly. Giordano gave him his blessing on the plan and guaranteed the backing of the Italians.". The nephew was an improbable mob leader who would add little criminal dignity to the high office of Mafia don. - Jesse Stoneking. Because he was 70 years old, he was placed on five years' probation. of Scottsdale, Ariz. owns the property where Boxers is located. If their assessment of him and his underworld talents was accurate, it could end in a massive sting. The kid's dead." He had no friends from whom to seek help. On numerous occasions, he called Spica to arrange meetings. It wasn't necessary. You sure it's good?". Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The Mafia don still was obsessed with Flynn. Kowalski, who had done him many favors, wanted it now. He had squandered the fortune he had made and the meager dole the FBI had given him barely sustained him. It was a personal affront, a betrayal of the worst kind. The meeting apparently did not go well and negotiations were broken off prematurely, with the St. Louisans quickly returning home. I figured the guy deserved it. The crime took place in sprawling Maricopa County, near the intersection of two well-traveled roads, which bordered residential developments and golf courses on three sides. He always had taken care of his people. Some intelligence sources believed Giordano looked upon Spica as a surrogate son. That's Fratianno. Samba Bom Mardi Gras, a Broadway Rave and more. Late that night, Stoneking and Stram went to the man's house trailer. There are signs that he had changed. One got out and peered through the kitchen window. But he prevailed. The detectives agreed that it might have been an attempt to kidnap them in an effort to learn Stoneking's location from me. He was just set up that way. More than once, the recorder he wore almost gave him away, but his mental agility saved him. Again, it was Stoneking who made the case. He was Wortman's right-hand man when they were convicted together in. It was how one survived in his world. Stoneking had been a top lieutenant of East St. Louis racketeer Art Berne in the 1980s, when he was working undercover for the FBI. Giordano glared at him through the thick lenses of his glasses that distorted his eyes. He struck a deal with Tom Fox and Terry Bohnemeier, the FBI agents who had arrested him. It would leave a lasting impression on him. "They didn't hurt anybody," he explained. Stoneking's first foray into crime came when he was 14. She was a friend of the two thugs he had shot and killed. His prison buddy, Carl Spero, and his brothers were locked in deadly combat with the Kansas City Mafia family of Nick Civella. Only the agents and Stram, whom he trusted implicitly, knew where he was. 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