NY police guilty of mafia murders

The two men were long-serving New York detectives

Two retired New York policemen have been convicted of murder for participating in mafia killings.

Louis Eppolito, 57, and Stephen Caracappa, 64, were found guilty of working for the Luchese crime family while serving as detectives.

Assistant US Attorney Daniel Wenner called the case "the bloodiest, most violent betrayal of the [police] badge this city has ever seen".

A jury took two days to convict the two men, who face life imprisonment.

Eppolito and Caracappa, who were decorated for their efforts as detectives, were convicted of involvement in eight murders on behalf of the mafia between 1986 and 1990.

'Crystal ball'

Prosecutors said the two men carried out two killings themselves, after halting the victims' vehicles at traffic stops. Other victims were kidnapped before being handed over to the Luchese family.

The court also heard that on one occasion, the two detectives arrested a mafia figure only to hand him over to be tortured and murdered.

Prosecutors also said the pair provided inside information about informants, and were referred to by Anthony "Gaspipe" Casso of the Luchese family as his crystal ball.

Prosecutor Mitra Hormozi said each detective received a monthly payment of $4,000 (£2,300) from the mafia for handing over confidential police information.

The pair, who retired in the early 1990s, had denied the allegations. They declined to give evidence in court in their defence.

Eppolito played a bit part in the classic Mob movie Goodfellas, and then unsuccessfully tried his hand at Hollywood script-writing.