Potential jurors in the case of reputed Bonanno boss Joseph Massino were asked to weigh in on whether “The Sopranos” and “Donnie Brasco” realistically depict the Mafia.
Approximately 500 candidates for the anonymous jury completed lengthy questionnaires in Brooklyn federal court yesterday as the first phase of Massino’s trial got under way.
A section devoted to the popular HBO series starring James Gandolfini, asked whether jurors watch “The Sopranos,” and how often – followed by the question, “Do you think the series is realistic?”
More pertinent to the trial were similar questions posed about the Hollywood hit “Donnie Brasco,” which depicts undercover FBI agent Joseph Pistone’s infiltration of the Bonannos more than 20 years ago – as well as fictionalized versions of four murders with which Massino is charged.
Mob movie classic “The Godfather” also made the questionnaire.
Jurors got a real-life greeting from the accused mob boss – dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt and no tie – who rose from his seat as Judge Nicholas Garaufis introduced him.
“Good afternoon,” Massino said, nodding to the candidates.
Some jurors seemed to shift uncomfortably in their seats when the judge announced that the case deals with the Bonanno organized-crime family, and outlined the racketeering charges, which include murder, extortion, loan-sharking and money laundering.
“The identity of potential and seated jurors will be kept confidential,” Garaufis said, adding that the final jury would be “escorted to and from the courthouse each day.”
The crowd gasped audibly when Garaufis estimated the trial could last 12 weeks.
Massino, 61, allegedly took the reins of the crime family in 1991 following the death of then-boss Phillip “Rusty” Rastelli. He was serving a 10-year sentence for racketeering at the time, but was released the following year.
He faces the possibility of life in prison if he’s convicted of seven murders, including the slaying of mobster Dominick “Sonny Black” Napolitano, who unwittingly welcomed Pistone into his crew.
The feds have lined up numerous cooperating witnesses to testify in the case, including Massino’s brother-in-law and longtime underboss Salvatore Vitale.
Individual questioning of the potential jurors is set for next month.