NY Mafia son's third trial folds

It was not immediately clear if Mr Gotti would face trial again

Prosecutors in the US have failed for the third time to convict John "Junior" Gotti, the son of New York Mafia boss John Gotti, with a verdict of mistrial.

Jurors could not agree whether he had continued to profit from the Gambino family's activities after the cut-off point for racketeering prosecutions.

John "Junior" Gotti says he decided to reject the Mafia lifestyle in 1999.

Correspondents say the case has become notorious and the mistrial is a major setback for anti-Mafia prosecutors.

It was a tough one John "Junior" Gotti

US District Judge Shira Scheindlin declared a mistrial at Manhattan federal court, New York, after receiving a note from the jury.

"Your honour, unfortunately we are deadlocked," the note said.

Mr Gotti, 42, had faced up to 30 years in prison on charges including ordering the beating and kidnapping of Curtis Sliwa, founder of New York's Guardian Angels anti-crime patrols.

"It was a tough one," he said after leaving court on Wednesday.

"This one drained the life from me."

John Gotti Senior died in prison in 2002, convicted of murder and racketeering.