Antonio Paretti

Antonio Paretti, Anthony Paretti or Tony the Shoemaker ( - 17 February 1927) was a Camorra gangster involved in the murder of Nicholas Morello. Paretti originally fled to Italy to escape capture, while his brother Aniellio Paretti was imprisoned charged with another murder. He returned to New York in March 1926, thinking that most of the witnesses against him would be gone. Paretti was convicted for first degree murder, despite witnesses who "suddenly developed a surprising lack of memory" - replying "I cannot remember" to all questions asked of them. Leading to his execution security was enhanced from 16 hours a day to 24 hours a day. He was pressuring politicians to deny the death penalty but this was not granted. He was electrocuted on 17 February 1927 at the age of 35. One of his last visitors was future Mafia boss, Vito Genovese.